Meet Our Team

Andrew enjoys being part of the diverse and talented team at St Albans Dental Centre. He graduated from Otago in 2009, then worked for one year at Christchurch Hospital under the Maxillofacial team loving the surgical exposure.

Andrew then moved to Australia for four years and worked privately in a mix of hospital and general dentistry taking in the wider experience it offered. With the city well on its way to being fixed, he moved back in 2015. Andrew says it’s great to be back and part of a new vibrant city. With the mountains in winter and the ocean in summer he couldn’t think of a better place to be.

Andrew has a strong interest in restorative dentistry, supplemented by sedation when needed. Preventive dentistry is fundamental in our practice, and he feels with the team we have, we strive in providing long term oral health.

Andrew thinks dentistry will be different for every person. He enjoys working with people to make a personalised treatment plan that makes you smile.

Catherine graduated from the University of Otago with Distinction in 2012. She began her career at Christchurch Hospital as a House Surgeon, gaining skills in trauma management, oral surgery and treating complex patients, before moving to private practice. Catherine is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons after completing her examinations in 2018.

Catherine joined Lumino St Albans in 2022. She greatly values the wonderful team environment and special interest areas of her colleagues within the practice. Catherine enjoys building relationships with patients and helping to make dentistry a positive experience as much as possible. She is patient-focussed, and deeply values each patient's specific needs and preferences. 

She enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, and is able to communicate with members of our Deaf community by New Zealand Sign Language. Catherine loves running and spending time with her husband and young children. 

Sarah graduated in 2010 from the University of Otago with Credit. After a year working in private practice in her home town of Oamaru, she made the move across the ditch to the Gold Coast, where she worked for a large group practice. Sarah got married in 2015 and took time off to travel around Europe before moving back to settle down in New Zealand.

Sarah is passionate about providing excellent quality dental care in a friendly, gentle and honest manner. She enjoys all aspects of general dentistry with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and endodontics. She feels very fortunate to work with such a great team and to have the pleasure of treating so many lovely patients here at Lumino St Albans.

Sarah lives in Lincoln with her husband, young son and British Shorthair cat. In her spare time she enjoys live music, walking and learning to play the guitar.

Kristine began her working life as a Registered Nurse in the operating theatre before making the change to a career in Dentistry. She graduated Dentistry in 2011 at Griffith University Queensland as Dux of her class.

Kristine has a passion for Dentistry and loves going to work. She has special interests in wisdom teeth removal, implants, extractions and reducing a patient's anxiety through intravenous sedation. Kristine’s experience as a nurse has given her a unique perspective into providing a caring and gentle quality to patient care.

Kristine works three days at St Albans Dental Centre and is also a mum to three young girls.

In Kristine’s spare time, she and her husband enjoy the outdoors with their family. Other interests include cooking, yoga and learning German.

Narelle graduated from the University of Otago in 2012 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. For the past 5 years, Narelle has been working in New Plymouth. She worked for 2 of those years part time at Taranaki Base Hospital as a Dental House Surgeon where she assisted the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.

As a dentist, Narelle loves getting to know the patients and create a relaxing and friendly environment. She likes to plan practical treatment for each patient’s individual dental needs and financial capabilities, combined with my own knowledge and strength.

She believes in minimal intervention dentistry and striving as close to perfection in both function and aesthetics. Narelle sees dentistry as a brilliant combination of surgery, engineering and art with prosthodontics and oral surgery as being her forte.

In her spare time, she loves surfing, skiing and playing touch rugby. Also relaxing with her family.

To sum Narelle up, she is obsessed with living days to the full. Enjoying everyone and everything to the best of her ability.

Penny graduated from Otago University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery awarded with credit. She worked as a Dental House Surgeon at Wellington Hospital, before moving to Melbourne in 2006 where she worked in private practice for 14 years. Returning home to Christchurch, with her husband and three children, she was excited to join the team in 2021.

Penny is confident in all aspects of general dentistry and revels in the variety that general practice brings. She believes in treating her patients with a high level of dental care and respect, which she herself would provide to her own family and friends, in a pain-free and friendly environment. She enjoys not only creating beautiful smiles, but enlightening her patients, on how best to maintain them. Penny has a caring and compassionate nature and enjoys helping anxious patients become at ease in the dental setting.

Beyond dentistry, Penny loves adventures in the outdoors, experimenting in the kitchen, playing tennis, and mountain biking.

Monica graduated as a Dental Hygienist with a Foundation degree in Oral Health sciences (Distinction) from the Essex University, UK in 2011. With a background in teaching and dental assisting, it was only natural for Monica to pursue a career in dental hygiene. Post graduation, Monica worked in a mix of specialist and general dental practices around London where she honed her clinical and personal skills. 

In 2019, Monica and her family moved to New Zealand and settled here in the South Island. 

Monica is passionate about helping people feel safe and comfortable in the dental environment. Her aim is to provide the highest quality of dental care in a gentle and professional manner, improving patients' confidence and their overall wellbeing. Her gentle and caring nature helps especially dental anxious patients feel at ease during hygiene treatments. Monica is known for her empowering attitude towards her patients. She delivers clear messages and practical solutions so patients can feel motivated and on board with their oral health. 

Outside her work as a dental hygienist, Monica is also pursuing her passion for mind body connection. As a qualified rapid transformation therapy practitioner (RTT) she is helping clients overcome various stress related issues. Monica enjoys keeping her work-life in good balance, practicing yoga, swimming and travelling around New Zealand with her family.

Yasasmi graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Oral Health in 2023.

Her dental interests include preventative care and patient education. She is passionate about helping individuals understand the importance of maintaining oral health and implementing practice that can prevent issues before they arise.

Yasasmi's goal is to promote a proactive approach to oral health and to continually improve her skills.

Yasasmi loves making a positive impact on her patients' lives and watching their confidence grow as their oral health improves. She loves the variety and problem-solving aspects along with educating and connecting with patients, makes her job incredibly rewarding. 

Outside of work, Yasasmi enjoys travelling the world, exploring new places and spending time with family and friends.

An interesting fact about Yasasmi is that she represented Sri Lanka at a national level for track and field athletics. She also plays the flute, piano and drums and has two university degrees!