Our Dentists

DCM’s dentists truly transform the lives and wellbeing of our whānau. We appreciate all the hard work they put in while taking time away from private practices or hospital work to treat our whānau free of charge. Here, our dentists share their incredible experiences.

 Sophie McKenna

I was born and bred as a one-eyed Cantabrian growing up in a small town, after which I studied for five years at Otago University. I’ve lived in Wellington for 25 years now, and consider myself a Wellingtonian – nearly.

My Dad was a dentist, and I used to work as a dental assistant every holidays in his practice. It seemed to tick all the boxes for me: using my hands, making people better, the immediate job/task satisfaction (I’m quite impatient) and little or no paperwork! So by about the age of 17, I had decided that this would be a good path for me.

When Andrew and I were first married, we were both looking for dentist jobs in the greater Wellington area. He worked in Paraparaumu, while my first job was in Upper Hutt. We rented a converted shearing shed from my boss. It was located halfway between our two jobs, on the Paekakariki Hill Rd. We loved it, went on to purchase some land there, and have never moved from that road.

When Andrew bought his practice in Wellington, I moved there, going on to purchase my own practice on the Terrace two years later. But at the same time, I got pregnant (accidentally! not recommended, although Jacinda has done a good job of managing a similar happy accident). So after battling on for a while, I merged my practice with Andrew’s and we worked half a week each and parented half a week each. A great way to make it work and now that the kids are teenagers we are both working more days.

I think I must have first heard about DCM at an NZDA branch meeting – I’d been ‘managed’ into putting my name forward for the committee that runs the branch and it seemed like a good thing to do to give back to the greater community. My Dad was a small town dentist and did a huge amount of work for people who couldn’t afford it, plus my greater family have always quietly contributed a great deal to others – including my Gran, who received a Queen’s Order of Merit which recognised her time volunteering and being instrumental in establishing Riding for the Disabled.

DCM was a surprise to me because I didn’t expect to receive so much pleasure from helping the whānau with their dental care. I had anticipated feeling positive about helping, but had not realised how much I would gain from it myself. When I first began volunteering, I was at a low point and not really coping well – a new and unexpected feeling for me. Our previously healthy teenaged son had been in Intensive Care a few months previously and very nearly died for no good reason. We were living with uncertainty and the stress of his five months off school. To come into DCM and see good people trying hard to improve themselves from their very low points, with the support of DCM staff, was humbling and put my own woes into perspective.

There have been so many special moments during my time at DCM. Recently, one of our whānau has taken steps to address his P habit and to overcome his great fear of seeing a dentist. I’ve seen him several times now; the first time he was unable to keep still enough to take an X-ray, let alone have a dentist look in his mouth. Now he perhaps doesn’t quite bounce into the surgery to see me, but he is certainly steady and trusts me enough to get work done. It’s been an absolute joy to be able to help him get out of pain and know that he feels OK with me.

Not long before lock-down last year, a man had come in to DCM because he had heard he could get a cup of coffee and something to eat there. Speaking with Matt, he said that he had a broken tooth and many other dental issues. We had a no-show at the dental service, and so I was able to see him within an hour of him first coming to DCM. He too had a lot of anxiety around dental issues, but I was able to settle him, and get the work he needed done. We also discovered that he had been homeless and sleeping in his car for some months. After his dental appointment, he was happy to speak with the DCM team about his situation. They worked to get him into emergency housing, and so he had a roof over his head as the nation went in to lock-down!

Read more about Sophie and Andrew McKenna’s mahi creating replacement teeth for whānau at DCM here.

Morris Wong

My name is Morris Wong. I was born and raised in the Manawatu/Horowhenua area. My parents immigrated from China in their teens. My siblings and I grew up working on the market garden and later in the Chinese Restaurant. Studying was a holiday!

I have always wanted a profession where we are working with a team, and helping people. As a child, I thought this would lead me to medicine. A brief period doing research after my science degree was interesting, but I missed the people contact. It was only after spending time with my dental friends that I was attracted to dentistry.

After graduating, I was offered a position as dental house surgeon at Napier Hospital. I later learned that it was my experience working and managing people (in the family restaurant) that landed me the job. I then travelled to Hong Kong, where I felt ill-equipped to deal with the abundance of periodontal disease. Through a series of unfortunate and fortunate events, I was able to take up post-graduate studies in Periodontology at the Prince Phillip Dental Hospital in Hong Kong – recently named the best dental school in the world!

During my time in Hong Kong, I advanced not only my dentistry, but also my familiarity with the Chinese language and culture. I was also able to participate in volunteer dental services at the Pillar Point Refugee Camp with MSF, Christina Concern for the Elderly, and a ten week medical project in North West China collecting dental data and treating children from orphanages, special schools, and rural areas.

Back in New Zealand, I am now working in a private practice in Lower Hutt specialising in Periodontics and Dental Implants, along with monthly sessions at Hutt Hospital supporting the Cleft Lip and Palate team. Our practice is also partnering with Marine Reach Fiji to provide dental services to villages in remote areas of Fiji.

I heard about DCM through the New Zealand Dental Association’s Wellington Branch. Some members have worked very hard to bring the DCM Dental Service to its current high standard, but there is always room for more help.

I only began volunteering last year, but have marked this as a regular part of our 2021 calendar. Teeth problems are mostly the same all over the world, but I really did not know what to expect at DCM. The first session was a very positive experience. I found the whānau friendly, and appreciative of our work. Some whānau have an abundance of work to be done, but each visit is another step towards good oral health.

The first chap I saw had just been released from prison where he had done time for assault. He was looking for work. He assured me that he would come to my aid if he saw me being beaten up on the street. My impression of the people I have met, is one of genuine-ness, and a desire to improve their lives.

Each of us, as dentists or DAs, has received so much through our careers, and we have so much we can offer. It is difficult to describe the feeling of having helped someone in a small or big way – it is far better to experience it for yourself.

Ceri Benn

Ceri was lead dentist at the DCM Dental Service in 2018.

Kia Ora, I’m Ceri, and I grew up in the beautiful and much underrated city of Palmerston North. I have now lived in Wellington for the past 8 years.

I decided dentistry would be a good career for me when I was about 14 years old. My Mum was the real inspiration behind my desire to work in health care, and I always wanted to work in a field that was people orientated. Dentistry seemed to be the profession I naturally gravitated towards. I think at the time I thought it would be a nice, neat, 9-5 job…HAH! (I was incorrect…).

I graduated from Otago University in 2013 and started my career as a Dental House Officer at the Hutt Hospital. I developed a special interest in the provision of dental care to vulnerable people, particularly those with disabilities, and medical and social complexities. This has led to me going back to school to undertake a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry in Special Care Dentistry. I hope to graduate with this qualification at the end of 2021.

I have been an active member of my local NZDA branch and was introduced to DCM through my time as a Wellington NZDA board member. Joining the team was a bit of a no brainer; the DCM Dental Service embodied all of my professional and personal values as well as being directly aligned with my particular interest in Special Care Dentistry. Essentially, from the first time I heard about the service I knew I had to be involved.

I have had nothing but positive experiences being involved directly with this service for the past 3 years. Every time I have volunteered at DCM I leave feeling energised and uplifted. The DCM staff and volunteers are all exceptionally welcoming, generous, interested in my well-being as much as the well-being of whānau. They care deeply about the work that we do in their space, and the value which this has for the lives of whānau.

Every person I have met and worked with at DCM has their own story. Having the opportunity to be a part of that, however briefly, I truly believe makes more of a profound difference than many of us who just go about in our day to day dentistry mode actually realise. Even if my care doesn’t have a lasting impact for someone, the lessons I have learned by being welcomed into their space and their story has made a lasting difference to me.

Working at DCM has been a highlight of my career and I hope to continue providing care for this service for many years to come. I encourage everyone who has some time available to them to consider taking some sessions, it doesn’t have to be frequently.

As a profession we seem to be moulded into believing that a worthwhile day is an efficient day where everyone turns up, and we make the most of every minute to do the maximum amount of good work possible – let it go, team! If you spend an entire morning having a consultation and kōrero with one person who needs it, and who can walk away feeling uplifted, your time was well spent. Value is so much greater than daily output, and I think spending some time at DCM can really help put that into perspective for our profession.

R was referred to the DCM Dental Service by Te Aro Health. He was intensely embarrassed by his teeth so had not attempted to get help for a long time despite the dental pain he had been experiencing. R saw Ceri who talked him through what steps were needed, with a view to getting a denture. She extracted about a quarter of R’s most painful teeth. During his appointment R told Ceri that he was ready to throw in his flat and “Sleep under a bridge for six months”. After R’s dental appointment, DCM staff had a catch-up and helped triage R’s housing issues so that he could stay happily and safely housed.

Frances Ruddiman

Frances credits her mother for encouraging her to pursue a career in dentistry, pointing out the flexibility and stability it offers women. Frances worked in the hospital system and private practice before applying for specialist training in periodontology. She now works as a periodontist in Wellington and Palmerston North, while maintaining her general scope of practice through volunteer work at DCM, Marine Reach Fiji and through annual free dental days.

“I heard about DCM at one of our local Wellington Branch meetings where John spoke about the service and what it offered. Beginning the morning with song and a community gathering is such a different start to my normal clinic day and I think makes the spirit of DCM shine. The session runs much like a normal day in private practice but without any pressure of finances. Whānau are all genuinely grateful for the services that we provide and talk about what a difference it makes to them to be able to leave not in pain – which they may have been suffering from for months.

One woman I saw had been in and out of emergency accommodation for some years; it was when she was able to move into a state house with her partner and children that she began to notice how much dental pain she had been living with. It was something very special to be able to treat so many significant dental issues for her, all in the one appointment.

What would I say to a DA or dentist thinking about taking a session at DCM? You won't regret it and after your first session you will be eager to schedule the next! Don’t worry about the clinical work – it’s the same as you do every day with all the tools and equipment that you need to carry out quality work. It is a chance to feel very fulfilled and give back to the community that we live in.”

T had been in and out of emergency accommodation for some years, but was then able to move into a Housing New Zealand property with her partner and children. With things more settled, she had started to notice how much dental pain she had been experiencing. She was able to be seen by Frances who treated some very significant dental issues, all in one appointment. While at DCM for her dental appointment, T also enrolled to vote in the upcoming General Election and went on to vote for the first time in her own community.

 Miranda Woolgar

I am originally from the UK, but have lived in New Zealand for the last 27 years. I am now living in Masterton and working in Carterton.

How did I come to choose dentistry as a career? I was interested in health, and wanted to pursue a caring career but was not sure what I really wanted to do. I decided to begin studying dentistry at university at 18 years of age.

When I qualified, I joined the Royal Navy and spent five years as a naval officer. The photos date back to my time at the submarine base in Scotland. Although at that time women were not allowed to go to sea, we used to get taken out to board the nuclear submarines after they returned from 3 months away. We then checked all their teeth with an anglepoise lamp and a jar of disinfectant for the instruments! How times have changed.

I then went on to general practice in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. I have been especially interested in cosmetic composite work.

How did I hear about DCM? I joined the Wellington Dental Association and heard about the work they were doing with DCM. As I work part time, I sometimes have the time to volunteer. Everyone has been very welcoming at DCM. At my first session, I worked with a dental assistant who I hadn’t seen for about 17 years! The patients are very thankful, although it is frustrating not having continuity of care. It is great to be able to put them at ease, and to make them laugh!

What would I say to a dentist who is thinking about taking some sessions at DCM? Be realistic about what you can achieve, but do go for it!

 David Corcoran

I’m from Sheffield in England, from a big family of six brothers and sisters. I trained in Birmingham, and later met my wife (who is also a dentist, and has taken sessions at DCM) at a dental practice in London. We came to New Zealand on holiday in 1986 and have been here ever since.

Why did I decide to pursue a dental career? Well, I quite liked the idea of it at the time to be honest! I worked as a community dentist for six months in England, then worked in a private practice in London for three and a half years. And for the last 34 years I’ve worked in a private practice here in Wellington.

As for DCM, some years ago I knew that Graham Symes was involved in starting a new emergency dental service based at DCM, but that the building had seismic issues, and this was not helped by a series of earthquakes in 2013. I wanted to help, so got in touch with Michelle. We started sorting out the surgery just in the hopes that something would happen. Fortunately the building was purchased by Maurice and Kaye Clark, and after redevelopment we were able to pilot a new service in March 2016. I was fortunate to take the very first dental session. The service has really grown from there.

I find it’s a two-way experience – you learn as much as you give when you join the team at the DCM Dental Service. Whānau who come along desperately need dental treatment. Sometimes they like to talk, and have someone listen. But best of all is when you’re able to offer them a release from pain – and that’s what it’s all about.

Whānau are also really nice people – and easy going! I am always amazed at the tolerance for pain that they seem to have. It’s a constant thread in everyone we see. They are sometimes walking around in severe dental pain, but always seem to have a good nature about it. They put up with things because they have to.

If you are thinking about taking some sessions at DCM, I’d say give it a try – you will probably find you’ll really enjoy it and your services will be extremely well utilised.

One woman who David saw at DCM had many issues with her teeth, couldn’t eat properly and told us that she hadn’t been able to sleep due to the pain, and the fact that she was rough sleeping. The barrier for her was that she assumed that any dental work would be far too expensive, and so there was nothing that could be done. David was able to do a lot in a single appointment. Afterwards she told us: “This was by far the best dental experience I have ever had. It totally sorted my teeth. I would totally recommend David to anyone!” We were also able to arrange a couple of follow-up appointments for her at DCM.

One man who has seen David at the DCM Dental Service had been assaulted, which had caused significant damage to his teeth. “The whole service was very professional; my damaged teeth were causing me many problems. I couldn’t eat and my diet was restricted to soup. The dentist took a number of X-rays and removed some teeth. I am now not in any pain, and I can eat again. I am very happy.”

 John Buckerfield

I was born in the UK, shortly after World War II. I had been advised to go for a job in brewing! But I wanted to do something medical, and my teacher suggested dentistry. At the last minute I said “Yes" and I have never regretted the decision.

My university was Birmingham, England. After qualifying, I pursued a hospital career in maxillofacial surgery as I had considered dental missionary work. I passed the examination for Fellowship in Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Then a job came up as Registrar at one of the top UK maxillofacial centres - the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead which was set up by a Kiwi, Sir Archibald McIndoe, to treat burned airmen during the Second World War. There I met a Kiwi nurse, Christine, from Lower Hutt and we got married! After this, I was involved with general dental practice for several decades. I never became a missionary but did part-time service in a church youth group then pastoral leadership. I semi-retired from dentistry to New Zealand with Christine in 2012.

On arriving in New Zealand, I was looking for opportunities to serve marginalised people by caring for their dental needs. The NZDA Wellington branch was exploring working with DCM to provide a pro bono dental service for people who were experiencing homelessness. I volunteered at a time when the dentist with the vision for this had become seriously ill. So it was that I became the lead dentist in setting up the surgery at DCM. I have enjoyed serving at this clinic over the last five years; I have now taken more than 90 dental sessions at DCM.

It has been a joy to be involved with such a great team of people at DCM. The dental work has dovetailed with the other aspects of personal care carried out by DCM.

I remember treating an unemployed chef who was homeless. His broken front tooth was ruining his smile and his chance of employment. I was able to completely build up his fractured tooth and he went out with a smile and better prospects of a successful interview for a job!

Another man who was new to DCM came in with long-term pain in a broken tooth. After I removed this, he was not only free from pain but he was able to be open to other help from DCM.

 CAN YOU HELP?

DCM is always on the look out for more dentists and dental assistants for our busy dental clinic. If you are or know a dentist or dental assistant who would like to learn more about working at the DCM Dental Clinic, please email Ali who oversees our hauora services.