Dentists in St Ives

Our Dentists

Come and meet our friendly, professional team:

Dr Chandni Bhikha BMedSci (Uni of Syd), DDS (Melb)
Dr Andrew Beaven B.ArchSt (UNSW), DMD (Uni of Syd)
Dr Linda Chapman BDS (Uni of Otago)
Dr Michael Chen BDS (Uni of Syd)
Dr Yolanda Chiong BSc (Adv), DMD (Uni of Syd)
Dr Lester Clifford BDS (Uni of Syd) MSc(Perio,Lon)
Dr Su-lin de Souza BDS (Uni of Syd)
Dr Behzad Habibi BDS (Uni of Syd), FRACDS
Dr Mahshad Habibi BDS (Uni of Syd)
Dr Ramesh Harichandran BSc (Adv) BDent (Hons) (Uni of Syd)
Dr Jabbar Kadi BDS (ADC)
Dr Richard Toigo BDS (ufrgs)

Our Hygienists

Fiona Walker BOH (Newcastle)
Brooke Gregory BOH (Newcastle)
Maviel Tanevska BOH (Sydney)
Jennifer Aston BOH (Newcastle)

Our Practice Manager

Jadene Vituli

Our Receptionists

Deb, Elia, Kerri, Lynette, Tina and Yasmin

Our Dental Assistants

Ana, Charlotte, Deb, Emma, Hanieh, Kerri, Mehri, Melissa, Nini, Rohan and Tina

Dentist Profiles

Dr Chandni Bhikha

Chandni completed her Bachelor in Medical Science at the University of Sydney, and went on to graduate as a Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Melbourne. She has been working with the team at St Ives Dental Group since 2009, and also brings to the practice extensive experience from her time within the NSW Public Health System, including the Paediatric dental department.
Chandni is skilled in all aspects of general and preventative dentistry and is also a registered Invisalign provider. Her outgoing nature and gentle approach have made her popular amongst families and her young patients.

Dr Andrew Beaven

Andrew grew up in rural NSW. Following his undergraduate studies at the University of New South Wales, he obtained his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Sydney. Andrew practices all aspects of general dentistry. He is focussed on getting to know and caring for his patients by addressing their concerns and needs with a tailored and evidence-based approach.

Dr Linda Chapman

Dr Linda Chapman was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. She graduated from The University of Otago in 1994, following which she worked in various practices in New Zealand and the United Kingdom before moving to Sydney. She joined our team in 2001.
Linda practises preventive dentistry and her nature appeals to young and old.

Dr Michael Chen

Dr Michael Chen graduated from The University of Sydney in 1993, obtaining a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Since then, Michael has worked in a variety of dental settings including public health, health fund centres and private practices. Early on, he limited his practice to the field of Oral Surgery and he still holds a staff position in the Oral Surgery Department of Sydney Dental Hospital.
Since 1995, Michael has been looking after our patients. His services include wisdom teeth removal, difficult extractions and minor soft tissue surgery. For anxious patients, procedures can be performed under intravenous sedation or general anaesthetic.

Dr Yolanda Chiong

Dr Yolanda Chiong graduated with the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, and the Advanced Science degree, from the University of Sydney.
It was always her dream to become a dentist and as such she takes pride in delivering great patient outcomes. Yolanda practices general dentistry, focusing on preventative therapy, she is great with children and has a compassionate approach. If you are looking for Mandarin Speaking Dentist, Yolanda will definitely be able to help you.

Dr Lester Clifford

Dr Lester Clifford graduated from Sydney University in 1982. After many years in teaching and private practice, he travelled to London to attain his masters degree in periodontics with distinction.
Lester now mainly focuses on implant dentistry and draws on his broad experience in the comprehensive management of patients. Over the last seventeen years he has gained extensive implant experience and he and Bez have worked as a surgical and restorative team since 1998. This close team approach ensures the best outcomes for our patients.

Dr Su-lin de Souza

Dr Su-lin de Souza graduated from The University of Sydney in 1992 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. For two years, she worked for the Hunter Area Health Service and then moved to private practice, joining us in 1999.
Su practises general dentistry and has a patient following from the Northern Beaches.
You can't help but notice her gentle and caring nature.

Dr Behzad Habibi

Dr Behzad Habibi grew up on the North Shore and after graduating in 1992 from Sydney University, started his career in community health, research and teaching. He initially joined the Group on a part time basis. He now looks after his long standing patients and focuses on more complex restorative cases. His philosophy centres on patient education, motivation and striving to satisfy patient needs while keeping treatment as simple as possible.

Dr Mahshad Habibi

A graduate of Sydney University, Dr Mahshad Habibi commenced her professional career in a modest single chair practice in 1992 which has now turned into this Group. Mahshad's caring nature, preventive and educative approach to dentistry has allowed her to retain patients from those early days and form bonds with them and their families.
Mahshad practises general dentistry with a special interest in root canal treatment.

Dr Ramesh Harichandran

Dr Ramesh Harichandran completed his Bachelor degree in Advanced Science at The University of New South Wales and went on to complete his Bachelor of Dentistry with Honours at The University of Sydney in 2012.
Ramesh practises general dentistry and believes in evidence based dentistry.

Jabbar Kadi

Dr Jabbar Kadi completed his university studies in 2008 and joined the Australian Dental Association in 2013. Jabbar has a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and also in emerging dental technologies and techniques, regularly attending conferences and workshops to add to his repertoire.

Dr Richard Toigo

Dr Richard Toigo grew up in Rio Grande do Sul, the most southern state of Brazil, where he completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1999. After graduating, Richard spent his first few years developing his clinical skills and scientific knowledge by working as a dentist in the post graduate clinic at The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, with a focus in clinical research in the areas of restorative and cosmetic dentistry. After a few years in private practice, Richard moved to Australia in 2007. His impressive nature and skills immediately secured him a place in our Group as a full time dentist. Richard now practices general dentistry with extensive experience in cosmetic procedures and smile design. He is up to date with the latest technologies, materials and techniques and uses Digital Smile Design for smile transformations.

prosthetist profile

Bernard McAlary

Bernard McAlary graduated with Advanced Diplomas in Dental Technology and Dental Prosthetics. He was a lecturer at TAFE and has been providing services to some of the best Prosthodontists in Sydney.
For over fifteen years, Bernie has been taking care of our patients' denture needs. Treating the patient himself, he is able to control the quality and complete the work in a shorter period.

Hygienist profiles

Fiona Walker

Fiona Walker joined the St Ives Dental Group team as a dental hygienist in May 2010. She graduated from The University of Newcastle in 2008 with a Bachelor of Oral Health, also receiving the "The Golden Scaler" award for professionalism and skills. Previously, she worked in the dental industry as a dental assistant and receptionist for over six years. Fiona is meticulous in all her endeavours.

Brooke Gregory

Brooke Gregory completed her Bachelor of Oral Health from The University of Newcastle in 2010 after many years of working with us as a dental assistant. She is passionate about providing the most thorough patient care possible. Brooke is attentive and enjoys nurturing her patient relationships.

Maviel Tanevska

Maviel graduated from the University of Sydney in 2015 with her Bachelor of Oral Health. She has worked in both dental hygiene and therapy in private practice, and in August 2017 joined the team at St. Ives as one of our dedicated hygienists.
Maviel is passionate in helping her patients better understand the connection between good oral health and overall health, and motivating them to achieve the best possible outcome. She is friendly and gentle with a down-to-earth personality.

Jennifer Aston

Jennifer began her career in dentistry as a Dental Assistant in 2001, completing Certificates III and IV in Dental Assisting. Enjoying the oral health side of things, she received her Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of Newcastle in 2012, and is now a member of the Dental Hygiene Association. Having a love for all things dental, since 2012 she has completed further education, including an In-office Whitening for Dental Practitioners.
Jennifer endeavours to make a positive impact on enhancing her patients’ knowledge of oral health. She’s excited to meet new people and forming relationships with patients that can last for many years, helping to make a real difference to their oral health and overall wellbeing.