Colloquially we call him the “tooth saver”. Mike originally trained as a General Dentist (graduating in 1991) and worked for 12 years in general practice in Hamilton. In 2003, he returned to Otago University as a Post Graduate Endodontic student and completed a Masters in Endodontics with Distinction in 2004. He returned to Hamilton as a registered Endodontic Specialist and set up his private practice – the first for the Waikato and first outside Auckland and Wellington in the North Island. He was also the first to bring the ‘paperless office’ concept with endodontic software developed by Endodontists in the US to NZ. As a foundation user, he shares and runs regular study groups with other local users and has access to a global online forum to discuss share clinical cases and problems.

He gained membership of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in Endodontics in 2005. Mike has also been actively involved in running continuing education courses and lectures both in New Zealand, Australia and Asia.

You will find Mike’s approach to his patients is very relaxed and professional. He and the team will manage your treatment in a very caring and quiet manner, working together to put you at ease.

Mike is passionate about ongoing study and keeping abreast of the latest advancements in the world of treating and managing oral disease. He has a special interest in evolving technology, treatment and management of trauma cases, the use of the operating microscope and Cone Beam imagery in Endodontics.

Clinically Mike is a perfectionist and has the knowledge and ability to train his own team to the highest technical standards. He is constantly active in the areas of ongoing personal and staff professional development, and every 2 years he travels to the USA to attend a conference organised by the endodontic software we use. He has previously taken Loren too who attended seminars and workshops for the administrative and assisting side of the business.

He currently reviews articles for the Australian Endodontic Journal and the New Zealand Dental Journal. Mike is the current President of the NZ Endodontic Specialists Group, the NZ councillor to the Australia and New Zealand Academy of Endodontics and he is a past President of the Waikato & Bay of Plenty Branch of the New Zealand Dental Association. He holds memberships with The New Zealand Society of Endodontics, The Australian and New Zealand Academy of Endodontists, the International Association of Dental Traumatology, and of course the New Zealand Dental Association.

Mike is a born and bred Waikato boy, proudly returning to Hamilton after his time away studying. Mike lives on a “forever outdoor jobs to do” block on the outskirts of Hamilton that he shares with his wife and any one of  his 4 "boomerang" adult children.  He has developed a love of gardening and considers a Stihl chainsaw and garden blower amongst his prized possessions. Previously he kept fit running around after children with winter hockey and surf lifesaving; now he is a walking, hiking and biking convert, plays tennis as often as he can, and tries to sneak away in the winter months for some snow skiing.  

Loren has been part of our small team in a full-time capacity since January 2013 – so she is truly our longest serving staff member. We are very proud of her history and now almost family relationship with us having started with us 3 years prior as our practice cleaner in 2010 when she was studying for her Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Science at Waikato University. Loren qualified with her degree when we were searching for a new special person to take on our reception role. Loren knew our team and culture and presented a wonderful case to consider her – the rest is history. Super keen to understand the field of dentistry, she qualified with her Dental Surgery Assistant certification in 2013 so she has the added skills of truly understanding what occurs in the surgery to answer and reassure patients, but also the significant advantage of being able to step in and assist in the surgery when the need arises.

Loren really loves being part of a small dedicated team and especially enjoys the contact she has with “her” patients. One of her greatest strengths is her people skills and extraordinary ability to engage with anybody. She thrives off the challenge of changing negative perceptions of dentistry and particularly “root canal experiences” and sets a very high expectation to offer a completely different service experience from anything else in the medical field. Her greatest rewards come from us as a team being able to manage patients who are in pain.

Born and bred in Hamilton, outside of work Loren is very involved with motorbike racing. She has worked her way to up to qualify as a National Official which sees her overseeing motorcycling events all over NZ. Motorcycling New Zealand lured her away from us for a year where she honed her interest in event management and she returned more enthusiastic than ever taking on the role of Practice Manager in 2019.

When not at motorbike events, Loren also loves the beach, snow skiing, travelling and walking the beautiful tracks in the Waikato.

Born and raised in Morrinsville, Jess has a passion for delivering high-quality care in the dental field. She began her dental assisting career in Morrinsville in 2021 and has always valued the strong sense of community that comes with growing up in a close-knit town. Jess joined us in November 2023 and has gone on to complete the New Zealand Dental Association’s Dental Assisting course, graduating 1^st in the Waikato region. We are so proud of her achievement!

Before entering the dental profession, Jess spent two years living in the United Kingdom, working in hospitality, and travelling throughout Europe. She returned home due to the Covid-19 pandemic but later completed another 6½-month visit in early 2023.

Outside of work, Jess is actively involved in the performing arts and spends much of her free time at the theatre, either on stage or in the audience in both Morrinsville and Hamilton. She also enjoys unwinding with a good book.

Tania started with us in March 2025 as our part-time Surgery Assistant and brings a wealth of experience with over 18 years in the dental industry in Hamilton. She is warm, confident, empathetic and a great asset to our team and patients alike. She has strong skills in anticipating someone’s needs, and her caring personality puts you at ease immediately.

Many will already know Tania through her many years at South City Dental and also several other practices around Hamilton. She has invaluable experience in many roles and has been a chairside assistant, administrator, treatment co-ordinator, clinical manager, and a dental sales rep!

Tania would say she is more “artsy” than “outdoorsy” and is a huge music and animal lover. She admits that she might just love animals more than people! She is also a keen writer (especially song-writing!) and her weekends are kept busy with her family and 4 dogs, Ginny, DC, Toby and Maverick.  

Megan has been involved with the practice since the very beginning. Initially she was performing accounting roles and special projects in a part-time role as required to support Mike and the growth of the practice, whilst also managing family commitments.

Over the years, Megan has also moved into full-time reception roles when required as a result of staff transitions. More often now you will find her working behind the scenes; managing the accounts and reports to keep operations running smoothly as well as everything else admin-related in-between! 

In the office Megan will often be the other friendly reassuring voice that picks up the phone, and she thrives at being able to help patients with anything they may need. With a background outside dental in marketing and finance, she challenges us all to be the best specialist practice we can be - constantly looking at ways for us to exceed patient expectations and deliver better customer outcomes.

Her interests outside work include walking, pilates and she has a real a passion and talent for gardening.