About Us

Dental Specialists are dentists who have completed extensive additional training and qualifications to have expertise in a specific area of dentistry.

New Zealand has 9 different categories of dental specialists including Orthodontists who straighten teeth, Periodontists who treat gum disease, Endodontists who treat the nerves inside teeth, Prosthodontists who restore extensively damaged mouths, and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons who provide surgery to the mouth, face and jaws.

Dental Specialists restrict their practice solely to the area of their speciality and therefore do not provide general dental care.

Patients are commonly seen for a specific problem on referral from a general dentist however most dental specialists will accept patients without referral provided the patients’ needs fall within their specialist scope of practice.

Following completion of specialist care patients are encouraged to return to the care of their dentist.

Tauranga Dental Specialists is an organisation that is currently comprised of 3 core members: Andrew Newsom, John Whelan & Tauranga Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (David Chrisp and John Bridgman). Between them these members offer a wide range of specialised dental services that treat a variety of different issues, disorders and conditions.

Tauranga Dental Specialists is designed to provide you easy access to the services that patients specifically require.  This, coupled with our member’s extensive knowledge and experience will help you receive the treatment you require with optimal results.