Meet Our Team

Birthplace: Christchurch, New Zealand

Qualifications: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (Distinction) Otago (2012)

Experience: Hospital and private practice experience

Interests: Spending time with family and friends, shopping, travelling, cooking, running Favourite Food: Strawberries and raspberries Favourite Drink: Chilled NZ Pinot Gris Favourite Spot: Somewhere sunny and warm

Anna joined the practice in 2015. After graduating from the University of Otago with distinction, Anna worked as a House Surgeon at Wellington Hospital. This was an interesting role which involved treating patients with varying medical complications as well as dealing with acute trauma and infections. Anna has a keen interest in all aspects of general dentistry but has a special interest in the prevention of dental disease. She regularly attends courses and seminars to further her education. Outside of work, she enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, shopping, cooking and travelling.

Birthplace: Canada

Qualifications: Doctorate of Dental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (2016)

Experience: Hospital and private practice experience

Interests: Surfing, Biking, Snowboarding, Swimming, Sewing, Crafting

Favourite Food: Lamb roast with loads of veggies .or anything chocolate (as long as it is gluten and dairy free!)

Favourite Drink:A nice glass of Chardonnay

Favourite Spot: Anywhere near or in the ocean- cold or warm!

Born and raised in Quebec, Dr. Marika Arnold speaks both English and French. Marika first attended dental hygiene school and practiced for 5 years as a hygienist before making the big jump and going back to university. She completed her degree in Dentistry at McGill University, Montreal in May 2016 winning prizes for compassion, professionalism and exhibiting the highest level of patient care. To increase her knowledge and gain experience in advanced treatments for complex health conditions, Marika attended a General Practice Residency in Salt Lake City, Utah. While in Utah, she worked in a hospital setting treating patients of all ages with various medical conditions. The last 5 years were spent on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada where she perfected her art in cosmetic dentistry, including but not limited to full mouth reconstruction, implant retained dentures and single to multiple implant crowns and bridges. She worked closely with local specialists to achieve the most predictable outcome in some of the most challenging cases. With her combination of experience and academic knowledge, Marika is a well-rounded dentist offering a high level of care to her patients in all aspects of dentistry. When Marika is not at work or in the ocean, you can find her exploring the many parks around Christchurch with her school age daughter Emma, her husband and her fur baby, Macchiato.

Birthplace: Greenville, South Carolina, USA

Qualifications: BOS Otago, BSc Canterbury

Experience: Christchurch Hospital Dental Department. Numerous private practices in Australia and New Zealand

Interests: Dental Cosmetics, Aesthetics and Artistic Implanting, Dental Engineering and Science, combining modern dental technologies with a gentle soft handed touch.

Favourite Food: Fish and Chips

Favourite Drink: Iced Christchurch Tap Water (pre quake},but Pinot Noir (now!)

Favourite Spot: Victoria Park, Christchurch, overlooking the plains to the Southern Alps

Tom completed his BSc in Canterbury before deciding that he really wanted to be a dentist. He graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from Otago in 1985. Since then Tom has collected substantial experience as a dentist. After leaving the Christchurch Hospital Dental department, where he was a House Surgeon for 18 months he moved on to private practice in numerous centres in Australia and New Zealand. In 2000 Tom settled back in Christchurch when he took up a directorship with The Smile Company . This long established practice provided just the environment Tom was looking for to advance his interests. Tom has continued his professional development in general dentistry with a special focus on providing modern solutions for people requiring advanced dental care.

Birthplace: Pakistan. Moved to New Zealand at age 7.

Qualifications: BSc (Anatomy and Structural Biology) and Bachelor of Oral Health

Experience: Qualified dental hygienist and dental therapist, graduated in 2014.

Interests: Trying out new restaurants I cafes, going for walks and runs.

Favourite Food: Anything Mexican

Favourite Drink: Hazelnut Latte

Favourite Spot: Monavale Gardens

Christchurch has been Saba's home since she was seven years old. Working in the health industry has always been an interest and a passion of hers. Saba started off doing a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Anatomy and Structural Biology. This gave her a great insight about the various aspects of the human body. After successfully completing that she continued her education doing a Bachelor of Oral Health. She's now qualified in a dual scope of Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene. Saba is passionate about oral health and collaborating with my patients to achieve their oral health goals.

As a dental hygienist Saba examines patients for signs of oral diseases, scale teeth and work together with patients to improve and maintain good oral health. As a dental therapist she provides children and adolescents with routine dental care.

When not in the dental clinic she likes to spend time with her family, go to for runs or gym classes and read her monthly issue of Vogue magazine.

Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan. Immigrated to New Zealand over 20 years ago.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago (2010)

Experience: 8 years in private practices across Auckland before joining The Smile Company .

Interests: Gym, trying out new cafes and an absolute succulents addict!

Favourite Food: Italian pastas and Tiramisu

Favourite Drink: Spanish sangria

Favourite Spot:  By the lakes on a calm sunny day

Jenny graduated in 2010, obtaining her Bachelor of Oral Health degree from faculty of dentistry at University of Otago. Moving back home to Auckland after her training, she gained her valuable experiences in various private practices as an Oral Health Therapist. After developing a special interest in preventive care and periodontics, Jenny moved to Christchurch and joined The Smile Company as a dental hygienist where she continues to provide gentle, yet thorough and positive experience for every patient. In order to reach your optimal oral health, she makes sure to attend regular workshops and seminars so that she can work out an up-to date collaborative home care plan to suit your lifestyles.

"I love interacting with patients and seeing them walk out with a confident smile brings a huge sense of achievement and that's what keeps me going to strive for the best!" - Jenny

Nazneen graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Khyber Medical University Pakistan in 2006 & obtained her Bachelor of Oral Health registration with DCNZ in 2022. 

Nazneen is passionate about helping people achieve and maintain optimal oral health with treatment and to educate them about the importance of oral health and its impact on overall wellbeing.

Her goal is to encourage people to assume responsibility for their oral health and promote adherence to self care regimen with good communication skills and professional knowledge.

Nazneen makes her patient's appointments and treatments stress free by reducing their anxiety with constant reassurance.

Outside of the practice, Nazneen enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and fishing in Twizel canals. Her favourite place to be is in Wanaka with her family.

Nazneen can speak six different languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Pushto, Punjabi, and Afghani.

Jesse graduated from the University of Otago with his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2019. Before working for Lumino, he spent two years working as a dental house surgeon at Christchurch Hospital, where he gained experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery, general and emergency dentistry, and special care dentistry.

Jesse focuses on providing gentle and holistic dentistry, catering well to patients who are anxious or have had previous negative experiences at the dentist. His aim is to work alongside his patients, taking into account their goals and expectations to improve and maintain their oral health in the future.

Jesse strives for excellence in all his work. He provides treatment in all areas of general dentistry including fillings, both simple and complex extractions, dentures, crowns, bridges, and root canals. He enjoys providing treatment options that are patient-centered and tailored to each individuals’ needs.

Jesse grew up in Whanganui and has a family background in design and education. He is passionate about health and fitness and self-improvement. Outside of work he is either at the gym, working on various kinds of cuisine, or spending time with close ones.