Introducing: Stanmore Bay Dental Studio

Making the experience of visiting the dentist a positive one is a priority for Claire and Titus Mulquiney, owners of Stanmore Bay Dental Studio.

Claire has been a dentist since she qualified in Birmingham in 2008. She and husband Titus – a web designer and online marketer – moved to New Zealand three years ago. Initially a two-year adventure was planned, but they loved it here and eventually bought a house in Gulf Harbour. Their daughter Summer was born a year ago.

As well as general dentistry, Claire enjoys forensic work in her spare time. She has a special interest in bite marks and is beginning to offer this expertise to Police.

After working in a number of dental practices here and in the UK, Claire is champing at the bit to start her own from scratch. She says being in control of the quality of the whole experience is exciting.

One of the things she finds most rewarding about dentistry is helping nervous patients. Psychology is part of dental training and Claire says her practice will have a strong focus on looking after the person as a whole. “I find it really rewarding getting a nervous patient from start to finish, especially if they were reluctant to smile before they came to us,” Claire says.

The practice will cater for all general dentistry needs, including dentures, fillings and implants. Associate dentist Johan van Rooyen, a specialist in implants and oral surgery (including root canals), is on the team along with a hygienist.

Titus, who describes his supporting role as “director and general dogsbody” also puts patients first. He has built the website, dentalstudio.nz and looks after the IT support.

“I am looking at the user experience and how to make patients feel comfortable when they walk in – creating a calm and relaxing environment,” Titus says.

The clinic will feature soft chairs that fold down and noise cancelling headphones.

Stanmore Bay Dental Studio, which is on Whangaparaoa Road in the same block as Family Doctors, will open on February 20 but bookings are already being taken by phone.