Our Narre Warren Dental Team
Our Narre Warren team of highly qualified, compassionate professionals are passionate about helping you achieve your best smile. Each member of our team brings expertise to provide personalised treatment plans that cater to your unique oral health needs and smile goals. We believe in fostering long-term relationships with our patients and strive to earn your trust through open communication and affordable dental services.
Our Triple A Philosophy
Ava Dental promises to enact our Triple A Philosophy: Always Accessible, Always Affordable, Always Available. We're committed to helping you achieve the healthy, comfortable smile you've always wanted. Whether you need emergency dentistry or treatment for TMJ, we are here to offer our expertise. Our skilled team can assist you with flexible financial options, including accessing your superannuation.
We're Excited to Meet You!
Our team at Ava Dental looks forward to caring for your smile and welcoming your family to our friendly dental clinic in Narre Warren. We invite you to read more about our team below, or you can book an appointment online or by calling us on 03 8790 2500.
Discover the Ascend Dental Difference!
At Ascend Dental, we are led by a team of highly experienced dental industry leaders committed to providing the best possible patient care. Our clinics are individually managed with a personal touch, ensuring top-quality service for every patient. We prioritise our patients with our signature Triple A Philosophy and Patients-First Approach, guaranteeing exceptional care from our talented and caring dentists. With a wide range of dental services, including treatment under general anaesthetic in a private hospital setting, you can trust Ascend Dental for all your dental needs. Please visit Ascend Dental for more information!
Dr Da Eun (Danna) Kim
(DEN0001998341) Registered Dentist, General registration
Danna grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and later moved to Melbourne, where she graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Pharmacy from Monash University. She then pursued dentistry and, in 2015, graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Melbourne. Danna has experience working in both the public and private sectors of dentistry. She is known to be gentle and calming when treating her patients, especially those with anxiety.
Dr Christina Thevapalan
(DEN0001145317) Registered dentist, General registration
Dr Christina Thevapalan is a general dentist who graduated with a Bachelor of Dentistry (Hons) from the University of Sydney in 2008. Before her ventures in dentistry, she graduated and pursued a career as an aptometrist, having worked as an optometrist for three years. Christina commenced her work as a dentist in community dentistry and added private practice to her scope of practice in 2011.
She joined Ava Dental in late 2016. She enjoys all general dentistry disciplines but is keenly interested in paediatric dentistry and removable denture prostheses.
Dr Jay Bariuad
(DEN0001984916) Registered Dentist, General registration
Dr Jay Bariuad initiated his dental practice in 2004 in the Philippines, extending his commitment to exceptional dental care upon relocating to Australia. With an unwavering passion for dentistry, Jay is dedicated to assisting patients in achieving optimal oral health and overall wellness.
Remaining at the forefront of dental advancements, Jay actively engages in continuous education through participation in seminars and courses. His commitment to ongoing learning aims to update and broaden his skills across various domains of dentistry. He holds a particular interest in surgical procedures, including dental implant placement, intricate extractions, and prosthodontic interventions such as crowns and bridges.
Beyond dentistry, Jay is an avid traveler. Committed to maintaining both mental and physical well-being, he frequents the gym. Jay also cherishes the opportunity to build meaningful connections, considering his patients as extended family.
Dr Darshika Gandhi
(DEN0002607134) Registered Dentist, General registration
Dr Darshika Gandhi attended school in India and graduated with her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2012 and a prestigious Master of Dental Surgery in Oral Pathology in 2017.
She is known for combining a warm and friendly touch with her expertise to calm even the most anxious patients. Her passion for early oral cancer detection, not sacrificing quality care and tailoring treatment plans that prioritise oral and overall health is a testament to her dedication.
Dr Darshika believes in embracing life’s joys, so when she isn’t having fun with her patients, you can find her savouring a delicious dish, strategising over a board game or cheering for her favourite cricket team. If it’s Friday, she will be on the badminton court looking for a friendly match.
Dr Drew Langan
(DEN0002798040) Registered Dentist, General registration
Drew graduated with distinction from Leeds University in the United Kingdom before carrying out further post graduate training in maxillofacial surgery and restorative dentistry.
Dr Samin Zarei
(DEN0001659049) Registered Dentist, General registration
Dr Zarei graduated with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 2004 and has been a dentist for 14 years. Over the years, she has gained experience in handling dental emergencies and performing different aspects of dental care that are personally tailored to each unique individual.
She enjoys treating children and helping patients of all ages overcome their fear of dentistry. She also provides conscious sedation to those who find it difficult to cope with general dentistry. Samin believes that dentistry has given her a chance to be creative and work with her hands and positively impact her patients’ oral health and improve their confidence.
She regularly takes educational courses, and as a member of the Australian Dental Association, she attends meetings and events that provide her with abundant learning opportunities in technological and scientific advances in dentistry.
Samin is married, and in her free time, she enjoys nature and travelling, cycling, bush walking and spending time with her beloved family and friends.