Dr Jonathan Hakim is Co-Founder of The Grove Dental and the other half of its story. A neuroscientist with a PhD in pain neurobiology and behavioural neuroscience from the University of Sydney – where he teaches head-and-neck anatomy to medical and dental students – Dr Jono has spent his career studying why we feel pain and fear. That expertise is the foundation of how The Grove Dental approaches anxiety and comfort: from the calm of the space to the way every visit is paced. Before dentistry, he and Dr Britt built and ran an award-winning wedding photography studio together for fourteen years – the shared origin of the practice’s eye for a natural smile. As Practice Manager, Dr Jono leads the day-to-day running of the practice, the patient experience and the systems behind your care.

Dr Mary is a passionate and highly skilled dentist with over 13 years of experience dedicated to crafting beautiful, healthy smiles. A proud graduate of the University of Sydney, she has built a reputation for her meticulous and compassionate approach to patient care. Dr Mary is proficient in a variety of advanced dental treatments, with a focus on dental implants to restore function and aesthetics, complex surgical extractions, and creating stunning smiles through cosmetic restorations. Her extensive experience also covers all aspects of general dentistry, ensuring her patients receive comprehensive and thorough care. Dr Mary is committed to making every patient feel comfortable and confident in her chair. Known for her enthusiastic and caring demeanor, she takes the time to listen to your concerns and develop a personalised treatment plan that perfectly fits your needs. Her dedication to excellence and genuine love for her profession shines through in every procedure she performs. When she’s not in the clinic, Dr Mary cherishes her time with her husband and two daughters, and loves to explore the world and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Dr Sophie Lee is an accomplished aesthetic dentist that is committed to minimally invasive, biomimetic dentistry. Dr Sophie believes that true aesthetic excellence lies in creating smiles that are not only beautiful, but biologically healthy and functional. After graduating from The University of Queensland, Dr Sophie relocated to Sydney with her family. In 2019, she completed her Master of Science in Aesthetic Dentistry at King’s College London, regarded as one of the world’s leading institutions in dental education. This rigorous training refined her ability to deliver smiles that are natural, aesthetic and functional. Dr Sophie provides comprehensive dental care encompassing restorative dentistry, minimally invasive smile makeovers with porcelain and composite veneers, orthodontics, dental implants and periodontal health management. Dr Sophie works very hard to make every patient’s dental experience as comfortable and painless as possible. Known to be caring and compassionate, her calm and gentle nature often helps with nervous and anxious patients. She enjoys looking after patients of all age groups. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys the valuable time spent with her young family.

Dr Youana is a compassionate and dedicated dentist committed to creating healthy, confident smiles and ensuring every patient feels at ease in her care. She holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from James Cook University and began her career serving rural and remote communities across Far North Queensland, including Cairns, Townsville, and Mareeba. These experiences helped her develop a deep appreciation for patient-centred, accessible dentistry and the importance of delivering care with empathy and precision. Dr Youana has a special interest in restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and oral surgery, and takes pride in providing holistic, comprehensive treatment tailored to each patient’s needs. She is known for her gentle and caring approach, open communication style, and genuine commitment to helping patients achieve optimal oral health and beautiful smiles that enhance their confidence and wellbeing. Outside of dentistry, Dr Youana values an active and balanced lifestyle. She enjoys going to the gym, hiking, baking, and spending quality time with her family. Her dedication to excellence, compassion for her patients, and warm and caring nature makes every visit a positive and comfortable experience.

Dr George is a highly skilled and compassionate dentist with many years of diverse experience in both public and private settings, as well as within educational roles and community programs. His journey in dentistry is driven by a commitment to enhancing his patients’ smiles while prioritising their overall oral health. Creating a warm, welcoming and non-judgemental environment for his patients is paramount. He takes the time to listen to his patients’ concerns, ensuring that they receive personalised care tailored to their unique needs. Dr George’s commitment also extends beyond the clinic; he has performed missionary dental work in Cambodia, Fiji, and Kenya, providing essential dental care to underserved communities. These experiences have deepened his empathy and reinforced his belief in the importance of accessible healthcare. Dr George has completed a postgraduate diploma in cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry, and is currently furthering his expertise in oral implantology. Outside of dentistry, Dr George is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new cultures with his wife and young daughter. He loves trying out new restaurants and seeking out adventurous activities, always looking for unique experiences to share with his family. When not traveling, you can find him staying active through exercise or diving into home renovation projects.

Dr Bishoy brings a thorough, patient centred approach to dentistry, always aiming to put his patients at ease from the moment they sit in the chair. He completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery with distinction at James Cook University, and since then has built a broad base of clinical experience across both public and private dental settings in North Queensland, including Mackay, Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands, as well as in Sydney. This varied background has given him a well rounded understanding of patient care across different communities and needs. Bishoy has a special interest in oral surgery, and continues to build on his skills through ongoing CPD courses to stay current with best practice. He takes the time to listen to his patients, explain treatment clearly, and ensure every visit feels comfortable and straightforward. Outside of the clinic, Bishoy stays active at the gym, plays soccer, and dabbles in amateur photography.

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).

Maryam is dedicated to helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles through preventative care and education. With a gentle and compassionate approach, she believes that the best dental treatment begins with empowering patients to understand their oral health and take proactive steps to maintain it. Maryam has a particular interest in preventative dentistry, from early intervention to tailored hygiene care, and loves educating both children and adults on the importance of good oral habits. She takes the time to listen to each patient’s concerns and strives to create a positive, comfortable experience for everyone who sits in her chair. Her warm, friendly nature and genuine care for people make her approachable and trusted by patients of all ages. Outside the clinic, Maryam enjoys exploring new places, travelling, and spending quality time with her family.

Aaron is passionate about providing comprehensive, patient-centred dental care and helping patients feel confident and informed throughout their treatment journey. As a graduate of the University of Sydney, he has gained experience across general dentistry and orthodontics, with a particular interest in comprehensive care, restorative dentistry, periodontal health, and orthodontic treatment. Aaron enjoys looking at the bigger picture of a patient’s oral health, understanding their individual goals and building long-term relationships as their smile and oral health progress over time. He values making dental care clear, comfortable and approachable for patients of all ages. Outside the clinic, Aaron enjoys travelling, playing and watching soccer, spending time at the snow, and keeping active at the gym.

With over a decade of experience, Cecilia is a skilled Dental Assistant and Clinical Coordinator passionate about providing exceptional patient care and seamless clinic operations. She specialises in supporting patients with dental trauma, ensuring they feel informed, comfortable, and stress-free throughout their treatment. Beyond patient care, Cecilia is dedicated to staff training and development, mentoring new team members and fostering a strong, cohesive work environment. Outside the clinic, she enjoys exploring the culinary world, from food trucks to fine dining. A former grazing board business owner, she loved crafting beautiful and flavorful sweet and savory platters.

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.

Meet Mabel — our glorious chocolate cavoodle and the newest (and fluffiest) member of The Grove Dental team. With her rich brown curls, bright eyes and endlessly wagging tail, Mabel has a special talent for making people feel instantly safe, seen and loved. Young, energetic and full of joy, Mabel brings a gentle confidence to the clinic. She’s particularly gifted at sensing nerves and will happily lean in for a cuddle, a paw hold or a reassuring nuzzle when it’s needed most. When she’s not busy being a professional comfort dog, you’ll find her trotting around reception, supervising the corridors, or shadowing Gus as his enthusiastic little sister. Mabel may be early in her dental therapy career, but she takes her role very seriously — spreading calm, collecting pats and reminding everyone that deep breaths are easier with a cavoodle by your side. If you’d like Mabel to be part of your appointment, just let our friendly front desk team know and we’ll do our best to book you into her diary (she’s very popular already).