Meet the Team at Lumino Main Street

Billy has enjoyed being a dental surgeon for almost 40 years, working in both the UK and for the past 15 years in New Zealand. Originally from Scotland, Billy was educated partly in Scotland & received secondary education in Africa. On returning to Scotland in his late teens, Billy worked in electronics (Motorola Inc) for a short time, before embarking on his dental training after being accepted by the University of Edinburgh. Billy has also completed a MSc (Restorative Dentistry) with the University of Birmingham, graduating with Distinction.

Billy’s love of clinical dentistry and aiming for excellence are his prime motivators. His fields of special interest are, obviously, all aspects of Restorative Dentistry, including root canal treatment, prosthodontics, periodontics and the management of dental trauma cases. After more than 3 decades in general practice he feels competent facing any clinical situation. Billy sets very high standards for himself and realise that patients respect and value my care.

Away from dentistry, Billy enjoys meeting new people, is a keen runner, enjoys reading political magazines and non-fiction. Billy is fortunate to have been married to Liz for more than 40 years and they have 3 adult sons. Billy and his wife enjoy travelling and experiencing new destinations. But supremely, they value their friendships and are grateful for the way they have been embraced by the Palmerston North community since our arrival in 2006. This is a truly wonderful city with a warm heart.

Deepika Samal graduated with Distinction from the University of Otago in 2011. Born and raised in Palmerston North, she spent a year living and studying overseas during high school before moving to Dunedin to pursue her dental studies.
Deepika has been part of Lumino Main Street for more than 10 years, where she has enjoyed developing strong relationships with her patients and the wider community. Her areas of interest include preventative and restorative dentistry, and she is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for everyone attending the practice.
An active member of the Central Districts Dental Association, Deepika served as President in 2022 and as Secretary in 2020, 2021, and 2026. She has also completed training through the New Zealand Dental Association Mentorship Programme and has mentored new graduate dentists in previous years. In addition, Deepika completed Mental Health First Aid training with St John and has served as Welfare Officer for the local dental branch since 2024.
Outside of dentistry, Deepika enjoys travelling, reading, and watching movies. A passionate foodie, she loves exploring new restaurants and experiences. You may also spot her around Palmy enjoying local walking trails with her Labrador, Biscuit.

Dusty is an experienced oral health therapist, providing modern and holistic dental hygiene care. Dusty has worked for District Health Boards in and outside the Manawatu, providing preventative and restorative care for children, and in private practice in both Palmerston North and Feilding.  

Dusty is passionate about patient education, particularly enjoying introducing patients to hygiene. With a background in treating children, including many who struggle with their dental visits, Dusty enjoys providing a calm and reassuring environment. As an oral health therapist, Dusty is able to administer local anaesthetic to provide pain-free care. Dusty also works in conjunction with specialist periodontists to manage more severe periodontal (gum) disease. 

Dusty is a founding member of the New Zealand Oral Health Association, and a member of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists. Dusty has served on the New Zealand Dental Students' Association, the Bupa Dental Care Clinical Advisory Panel - helping to influence clinical practice in over 200 clinics across Australia and New Zealand, and the Lumino Health and Safety Committee. Dusty is also a past board member of the Manawatu Young Professionals Network. 

Dusty has been a guest speaker for Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Child and Adolescent Oral Health Service continuing education and for dental podcast The Whole Tooth. Dusty has been nominated for Oral Health Therapist of the Year, the Hon. Annette King Award for Excellence and Leadership in Oral Health, and the People's Choice Award. 

Holly was lucky enough to join the wonderful Main Street team in 2019. She graduated from Otago University with a Bachelor of Oral Health in 2013. Previously, Holly worked as a hygienist for the NZ Defence Force, based at Linton, Ohakea and Waiouru for 5 years. She served a total of nearly 10 years in uniform in the Royal New Zealand Dental Corps. Prior to this, Holly worked as a veterinary nurse in her previous home town of Wellington.

Although with Holly's degree, she is dual-trained in dental therapy and dental hygiene, her passion has always been in hygiene and prevention. She likes to meet new people and enjoys working with you collaboratively to improve your oral health outcomes. We are so fortunate here at Main Street to have Airflow technology, which is a game changer for hygiene treatments, making them more efficient and more comfortable than traditional methods. Holly's hope for you is that you will leave here feeling empowered and completely informed about your current oral health.

Outside of work, Holly is a mum to two gorgeous boys, has a wonderful husband and an amazing group of friends. They love living in Manawatu with all it has to offer.