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ABOUT US

Registered Specialists in Paediatric Dentistry

 

Dr Fiona Ng BDSc (Hons), DCD (Paed), MRACDS (Paed)

 

Fiona is a registered specialist in Paediatric Dentistry with current memberships to the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, Australian Dental Association and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.  She completed her dental degree with honours in 2002, graduating from the University of Western Australia.  She then relocated to Singapore where she worked in private practice and the mobile School Dental Service.  With an interest in treating children with medical conditions, she provided voluntary dental services at a school for children with cerebral palsy. 

 

Returning to Australia in 2005, Fiona undertook specialist training in paediatric dentistry at The University of Melbourne and The Royal Children’s Hospital, obtaining her doctorate in clinical dentistry in 2007.  Fiona has advanced training and extensive experience in the management of child dental health and has been in private specialist paediatric dental practice since 2008.

 

Fiona believes that keeping abreast of the latest scientific and technological advances in Paediatric Dentistry will ensure that her patients receive contemporary and excellent care.  To this end, she regularly attends continuing education courses organized by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry.  Fiona is dedicated to advancement in the field of Paediatric Dentistry and is an Associate Investigator engaged in research with the eviDent Dental Practice Based Research Network.  Fiona is past Secretary and Vice-President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (Vic Branch). 

 

Fiona and her husband are proud parents to two amazing girls who think they rule the roost.  Life is a balancing act, but outside of work, Fiona (tries to be) a supportive wife, loving mum, the most fun taxi service and loudest cheerleader!

 


 

Dr Jyotsna (Jo) Raj BDS, FRACDS, DCD (Paed)

 

Jo is a registered specialist in Paediatric Dentistry with current memberships to the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, Australian Dental Association, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree in 2005 and obtained her Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry in Paediatric Dentistry from University of Melbourne. She completed her fellowship at the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in 2012.

 

Jo has worked in general dental practice for nearly a decade, across public and private sectors, before commencing specialist training. Her postgraduate training at the University of Melbourne included working at the Royal Children's Hospital and Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. She currently teaches the Doctor of Dental Surgery students at the Melbourne Dental School.

 

Jo is well trained in all aspects of Paediatric Dentistry and has a particular interest in management of children with special needs, dental trauma and minor oral surgery. Her research interests include dental caries experience and oral health needs in cleft lip and palate children

 

 

 


 

 

Dr Sushma Malipatil BDSc, DCD (Paed)

 

Sushma is a registered specialist in Paediatric Dentistry with current memberships with the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry and Australian Dental Association. She completed her Bachelor of Dental Science degree in 2005 at the University of Melbourne. She then worked in general dental practice in Victoria for a number of years, before obtaining a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Melbourne.


During her postgraduate studies, Sushma spent time volunteering by providing dental treatment to children in remote indigenous communities in New South Wales. Following graduation, she was awarded the Feigal Prize by the Melbourne Dental School and completed a travelling fellowship at the Universities of Minnesota and Texas.

Sushma is also a consultant paediatric dentist at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, and is involved in teaching dental students at the University of Melbourne. She enjoys the challenges of paediatric dentistry, and has particular interests in the management of paediatric dental trauma and behaviour management of anxious children.


 

 


Dr Dharini Ravindra BDSc, DCD (Paed)

Dr Dharini Ravindra completed a Bachelor of Science followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Sydney. After several years in general practice in rural NSW, she moved to Victoria and completed a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Melbourne in 2022.

 

Following her speciality training, Dharini worked as the Senior Registrar at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne prior to joining South Eastern Children’s Dentistry. Dharini is passionate about focusing on positive dental experiences for all children and tailoring treatment needs to each family.

 

In addition to private practice, Dharini has a strong research background having been published in the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Australian Dental Journal. Dharini is also currently completing her PhD at the University of Melbourne in the temporal development of the oral microbiome. Dharini is a member of the Australian Dental Association, Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry and the Australasian Association of Paediatric Dentistry.

 

Outside of dentistry, you will find her cooking up a storm (often for her colleagues at SECD) or sampling one of Melbourne’s many restaurants!

     

Our Management Team 

 

Lauren Molina Practice Manager


Lauren is our Practice Manager for both our Vermont South and Hallam Practices. She is a qualified dental nurse for 12 years now and has worked in the paediatric field for most of those. Lauren loves getting to know the families that walk in our doors and makes everyone feel at home. You will see her smiling when you enter the reception area, and is always happy to answer any questions you may have! Out of work Lauren spends 99.99% of her time spoiling her two sausage dogs or barracking for her Navy Blues. 

 


 

Megan Glass  Team Leader

 

Megan is based mainly at our Hallam Practice. Megan is our confident, dependable and trustworthy dental assistant and receptionist. She loves shopping at K-Mart. (don't we all?) Megan can always put a smile on your face and make you laugh too! When Megan isn't at work, she will be wearing her Red, White and Black cheering on her beloved Saints'

 

 

 


 

Our Services 

 

We offer a comprehensive range of dental services for infants, children and adolescents, including those with medical conditions and/or special needs.  Dental services include:

  • Examinations (check-ups) and maintenance
  • Caries (decay) risk assessment
  • Preventive dentistry including diet counselling and modification
  • Advice pertinent to periodontal (gum) disease, oral habits and accident prevention
  • Digital x-rays
  • Fissure sealants
  • Restorative treatment (such as fillings, nerve treatments and stainless steel crowns)
  • Extractions
  • Space maintainers
  • Custom-fitted mouthguards
  • Management of dental injuries

We specialise in managing complex cases such as children with severe decay affecting multiple teeth, those with significant behavioural issues and/or anxiety, and children with dental conditions such as supernumerary (extra) teeth, missing teeth, over-retained teeth or enamel defects (weak enamel).  Dental treatment can be provided under ‘happy gas’ sedation or general anaesthesia.