Meet The Team
Dr Britt Hakim
PRINCIPAL DENTIST & CO-FOUNDER
BDent (USyd) BAppSci. (UBC) BBiochem (UVic)
Dr Britt has earned herself a reputation as one of north west Sydney’s leading dentists with her honest, skilled and compassionate approach to dental care. From her childhood, Dr Britt knew that she wanted a career that would enable her to make a difference in people’s lives. Dentistry gave her the opportunity to combine her love and curiosity for the human body, with her creative and artistic talents, to make tangible, life changing transformations for her patients’ smiles. She has a particular interest in orthodontics, implant and cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers.
After studying dentistry at the University of Sydney, Dr Britt went on to complete a two-year program of comprehensive orthodontic training with Progessive Orthodontic Seminars (POS) and has completed advanced surgical and implant training with the International Academy of Advanced Dentistry (IAADent). Dr Britt is also an Australian-Certified Phlebotomist and has a special interest in regenerative dentistry involving the use of the human body’s own stem cells and anti-inflammatory cells, Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF), to improve treatment outcomes and healing over the use of synthetic materials.
Prior to pursing her career in dentistry, Dr Britt completed degrees in Biochemistry (University of Victoria, BC, Canada) and Applied Science (University of British Columbia, BC, Canada) and during this time she was actively engaged at the forefront of cancer and HIV/AIDS research at some of Canada’s leading research institutes. Her research gave her the opportunity to volunteer with some of the poorest and most marginalised communities in the world, including delivering health care in mud huts in Africa and working with homeless and indigenous groups on the roughest streets of Vancouver, where the rates of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis are comparable to that in developing countries. These experiences have shaped Dr Britt to be an empathetic, attentive and caring practitioner who listens to her patients and seeks to provide personalised care in a comfortable and trusted environment.
Dr Britt and her family are local residents who value giving back to the community. Her husband Dr Jono is also a valued member of The Grove Dental family. And of course, she wouldn’t be complete without her three sons, her human sons Noah and Lucas, and her canine cavoodle son Gus – who is by far the most popular member of our team.
Dr Jonathan Hakim
PRACTICE MANAGER & CO-FOUNDER
BSc Adv Hons (USyd) PhD (USyd)
Dr Jono joined forces with his wife, our principal dentist Dr Britt, on a mission to bring modern, high-quality dentistry to our local community in north west Sydney. In addition to being the practice manager at The Grove Dental overseeing our day to day operations, Dr Jono is an academic who teaches cranial & cervical (head & neck) anatomy at The University of Sydney to medical and dental students in the early years of their clinical training. Having completed his PhD in pain neurobiology & behavioural neuroscience, Dr Jono also understands the debilitating effects that pain (especially tooth pain!) and dental anxiety can have on one’s quality of life. His research interests include understanding the effect of hidden dietary sugars on one’s health – a topic that is very close to all dental professionals’ hearts – and he has published in this field. This unique combination of highly specialised training means Dr Jono offers a wealth of knowledge in the comprehensive care of our patients – especially when it comes to creating a relaxing, stress-free environment, educating patients about their treatment options, and guiding them towards achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.
Dr Sim Bansal
ASSOCIATE DENTIST
BOHDSc (Griffith) MDent (Griffith)
Dr Shakti Gounden
ASSOCIATE DENTIST
BMedSci (USyd) MPH (USyd) BDent (USyd)
Dr Shakti is a dedicated and caring dentist with over ten years of experience in creating beautiful smiles and restoring dental health. Growing up in Fiji, Dr Shakti was inspired by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives by actively participating in community health programs, and this led him to pursue a career in dentistry. His passion for educating people about the importance of their dental health and its crucial role in preventing dental diseases was further fueled by the completion of his Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Sydney. Dr Shakti continues to travel and serve developing communities through overseas medical camps in places like Fiji and Cambodia. Dr Shakti is deeply committed to ensuring his patients not only receive the highest quality, comprehensive clinical care but also enjoy their dental experience at every visit. His interests are primarily in cosmetic dentistry and implant surgery. Outside of his practice, Dr Shakti cherishes spending time with his family, including his wife and two beautiful children. He finds relaxation in meditation and is obsessed with the game of golf.
Amy Mulet
ORAL HEALTH THERAPIST
BOH (USYD)
Amy is a kind and bubbly clinician whose practice heavily focusses on the prevention of oral diseases and ensuring all her patients are motivated and educated on how to keep their smiles as healthy as they can be. Her love for this is what excited her to study a Bachelor of Oral Health at the University of Sydney and graduate to become an Oral Health Therapist in 2018. Oral Health Therapists are dual qualified as Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists meaning they have a specific scope of practice dedicated to prevention of gum disease and dental decay as well as treatment of early manifestations of oral disease. Most importantly, Amy loves to educate her patients on the importance of upkeeping their general health in order to reduce the risk of oral manifestations of systemic diseases and provide a holistic approach to her patient care. She makes dentistry fun and engaging for patients of all ages, and has a particular penchant for helping her patients (children especially!) fall in love with their dental visits and oral care routines. Amy is also a Clinical Educator in the School of Dentistry at the University of Sydney where she teaches future Oral Health Therapists and stays up to date with the latest evidence and treatment protocols. Outside of the dental office you will find her hiking with her husband and treating herself to some yummy Japanese food!
Nicky Bundang
ORAL HEALTH THERAPIST
BOH (USYD)
Nicky is a passionate and caring Oral Health Therapist who is deeply committed to providing exceptional care to patients of all ages. Her patients especially love her friendly and calming presence and gentle touch. Nicky holds a Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of Sydney, where she underwent extensive training in the treatment of gum disease, tooth decay and other dental ailments allowing her to offer comprehensive and individualised treatment that is tailored to each patient’s needs. In recent years, Nicky has further pursued her dental training and is currently in her final year of the Doctorate of Dental Medicine at the University of Sydney. Outside of the dental world Nicky is a Hills local who enjoys fun runs, casual tennis and spending quality time with her husband and two beautiful children.
Dr Ying Shi Chang
ORAL SURGEON
BDS GradDip ClinDent (Surgical Dentistry) (USYD) DClinDent Oral Surgery (USYD)
Dr Ying Shi Chang is passionate about patient-centric care and our patients love her warm and comforting nature. Dr Ying Shi believes in and is committed to open and honest communication, and collaborating with our patients, their carers, and other health practitioners to provide personalised, evidence-based care. Dr Ying Shi is a board registered Specialist Oral Surgeon, having obtained her specialist qualifications from the University of Sydney. Along with her private practice, Dr Chang works for NSW Health as an Oral Surgeon at the Nepean Centre for Oral Health. She has also previously held positions at the Sydney Dental Hospital, Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Orange Base Hospital, Dubbo Oral Health Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, and Charles Sturt University Clinics. Dr Ying Shi is also passionate about giving back to the dental profession by educating, training and mentoring future dentists and surgeons. For the past 10 years she has been involved in the oral surgery teaching programmes at both Charles Sturt University and the University of Sydney, and she is currently a Lecturer in Oral Surgery at the University of Sydney (School of Dentistry).
Catherine
PRACTICE COORDINATOR
Catherine is the friendly, calming presence you’ll encounter both on the phone and when you arrive at our practice. With nearly ten years in the dental industry, she expertly oversees our front desk team, ensuring our patients receive exceptional care throughout their entire dental journey. She prioritises patient comfort and strives to make each visit a positive experience, consistently going the extra mile for everyone. Catherine’s dedication and customer service have been acknowledged through her recognition as a Finalist in the Outstanding Youth category at the Local Business Awards in Sydney’s Hills – a remarkable accomplishment! Beyond her work, Catherine enjoys immersing herself in the live music scene with friends.
Cecilia
CLINICAL COORDINATOR
Stephanie
CLINICAL COORDINATOR
Stephanie has over ten years’ experience as a dental assistant and clinical coordinator. As a local herself, she is passionate about educating our local community about their oral health and ensuring that our patients understand every step of their dental treatment. Stephanie possesses a wonderful calm and warmth that puts our patients completely at ease, and she goes the extra mile to ensure our patients feel welcome and comfortable at every visit. During her time away from work she enjoys spending time with her three young children and partner.
Augustus “Gus” Horatio Hakim
DENTAL THERAPY DOG
Puppy Pre-School (USyd) Puppy High-School (USyd)
Big name. Tiny dog. Gus is the star member of The Grove Dental Rouse Hill team. Having also graduated with honours from The University of Sydney, Gus has a special way of melting hearts within seconds (it’s called being ‘Cavoodled’!). When he’s around the clinic, Gus is the best little greeter there is and puts nervous or anxious patients immediately at ease. He hangs out at reception or in the kids play room, and what he doesn’t have in size and stature, he makes up for in love, kisses and cuddles. Gus was Dr Britt’s first canine patient and if you look carefully, you’ll find Gus’ puppy teeth on display. Yep, all carefully extracted by Dr Britt herself. Being the son of a dentist, Gus has picked up a few of his own dental party tricks and can conduct dental check ups on command. If you’d like to see Gus at your appointment, you must be booked into his calendar in advance by calling our friendly front desk team.
