About Gentle Dental

We’ve cared for thousands of happy customers in Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt with our gentle approach. Our dentists have over 125 years of combined experience and a passion for delivering dentistry with a careful touch. 

Gentle Dental associate dentist with playful illustration

Locally owned and operated

We’ve been locally owned and operated since 1992. Our Dixon Street location was formed from an original practice dating back to the 1930s. Today, we’re owned by local Wellingtonians Mike and Sam. 

Investing in the latest technology has allowed us to deliver gentle results since the early days. We were one of the first practices to offer same-day CEREC Crowns back in 2008. Since then, we’ve continued to invest in emerging dental technology. For you this means more in-house services, more accurate results and faster recovery times. 

50,000+

Satisfied smiles 

125 years

Combined experience 

5,000+

Active patients

4 Locations

In Wellington and the Hutt Valley

Meet the Team

We’re a dedicated and compassionate team who do our very best to make you feel relaxed. We pride ourselves on explaining things clearly and plainly, adopting a conservative approach and a strong focus on prevention.

Each of our dentists have many years of experience, both in training and in practice, which means that you will always be in safe and expert hands. 

Gentle Dental owner & principal dentist staff photo

Dr. Mike Tonkes BDS (Otago)

Owner and Principal Dentist

Dr. Sam Moeung BDS (Otago)

Owner and Principal Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Andrew Chin BDS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Dr Ray Temo BDS MDS MOrthRCS MRACDS

Specialist Orthodontist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Rehua Smallman BDS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Jessica Lee BDS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Dr Snehal Shah BDS MFDS RCS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Colleen Loo BDS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Litty Scariya BDS

Associate Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Harshitha Chintireddy BDS

Associate Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Jennie Edmondson BDS (Glasgow)

Associate Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr William Wallace BDS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Gentle Dental associate dentist staff photo

Dr Catherine Edwards BDS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Dr Michelle Tiong BDS (Otago)

Associate Dentist

Dr Thomas Noble-Campbell BBioMedSc (Hons), BDS (Otago), MRACDS (PDS)

Associate Dentist

Dr Geraldine Chen BDS

Associate Dentist

Dr Steven McKinstry BDS MBChB PhD

Dental Surgeon

Gentle Dental oral health therapist staff photo

Helen Yang BOH (Otago)

Oral Health Therapist

Gentle Dental oral health therapist staff photo

Sheaynee Pama BOH (Otago)

Oral Health Therapist

Gentle Dental oral health therapist staff photo

Olive Kennedy BOH (Otago)

Oral Health Therapist

Gentle Dental oral health therapist staff photo

Crissalina Sak BOH (Otago)

Oral Health Therapist

Gentle Dental oral health therapist staff photo

Shivani Reed BOH (Otago)

Oral Health Therapist

Gentle Dental oral health therapist staff photo

Kate Toropova BHSc (Oral Health, AUT)

Oral Health Therapist

Maxie Hanson BHSc (Oral Health, AUT)

Oral Health Therapist

Gentle Dental group practice manager staff photo

Ashleigh Zammit

Group Practice Manager

Gentle Dental practice coordinator staff photo

Rose Vermy

Practice Coordinator

Gentle Dental practice coordinator staff photo

Hannah Chapman

Practice Coordinator

Our History

Providing gentle care to patients since 1992

2001

Sam joins the team as Associate Dentist 

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2002

Mike joins the team as Associate Dentist 

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2008

Gentle Dental becomes one of the first practices in Wellington to offer same day CEREC crowns

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2010

Mike and Sam buy into the practice

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2011

Our second practice on Lambton Quay is established

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2011

Oral Health Therapists and Hygienist are incorporated into the practice

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2012

Omnicam CEREC purchase

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2014

Mike and Sam buy out original owner Adam and become the sole owners, partners and principal dentists 

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2018

Gentle Braces is established offering specialist orthodontist treatment

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2019

First practice in Wellington to have the latest CEREC & Digital Scanning System

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2019

Cone Beam 3D X-Ray purchased

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2019

Moved and expanded the Dixon Street practice to Ghuznee Street, our custom-built, state of the art practice, with Gentle Braces incorporated all under one roof 

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2021

A third practice is opened on Royal Street, in the heart of Upper Hutt

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2023

Gentle Dental takes over 32 Gems in Lower Hutt. Forming the fourth practice