COSMETIC & IMPLANT STUDIO - YOUR TEAM
One team,
one philosophy.
Different hands, different focus — the same commitment to individual design, transparent communication, and taking the time to get it right.
COSMETIC & IMPLANT STUDIO
YOUR TEAM
One team,
one philosophy.
Behind every smile designed at The Studio is a team who work together — from first conversation to final finish.
Principal Studio Dentist
Dr Robert Ong
"Design-led planning for every patient."
Rob founded The Studio around a simple conviction: a smile should be designed — planned as a whole, around the person it belongs to — before any clinical work begins. His own orthodontic journey as a patient shaped that thinking, and it's the reason you'll always see and discuss your design before treatment starts.
He is honoured to be one of only a small number of Digital Smile Design (DSD) Masters in Australia — advanced training that lets patients preview and co-design their smile before anything begins. His clinical approach favours biomimetic, minimally invasive techniques, preserving natural tooth structure wherever possible.
Qualifications & Registration
Bachelor of Dental Surgery — University of Otago (2004)
Graduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry — University of Melbourne (2021)
Digital Smile Design (DSD) Master
Over 20 years' clinical experience
AHPRA Registration: DEN0001046501
Studio Dentist
Dr James Dawson-Smith
"Thinking in years, not appointments."
James plans conservatively — always asking what a smile will need not just next month, but in the years to come. His view is that function and aesthetics should work together: a smile that works well is the foundation of one that looks well.
With advanced training in digital orthodontics and a strong interest in biomimetic dentistry, his focus is on preserving natural teeth and identifying options that genuinely serves the long-term plan. He uses smile designs and mock-ups where relevant, so every treatment stays aligned with your vision.
Qualifications & Registration
Dental degree — Charles Sturt University (2015)
Graduate Diploma in Digital Orthodontics
Focus areas: biomimetic dentistry, orthodontics
AHPRA Registration: DEN0001991270
Studio Dentist
Dr Madeleine Di Francesco
"Subtlety and refinement, in every detail."
Maddy's work lives in the details most people never consciously notice — the small decisions of shape, translucency and proportion that make a smile look like it was always meant to be there. Where art and science meet is where she does her best work.
With post-graduate training in aesthetic and restorative dentistry, her approach is built on close collaboration — using the Studio's Smile Preview and thorough planning to design every smile around her patient's vision, while preserving the integrity of natural teeth. Her aim, always: a result that is individually designed for you.
Qualifications & Registration
Dental degree — University of Western Australia
Post-graduate qualification in Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry
AHPRA Registration: DEN0002071619
Studio Dentist
Dr Sheena Hall
"Patient care and understanding."
Sheena has cared for smiles at Ashburton Family Dental since 1996 — across generations of the same families, watching children grow up and bring in little ones of their own. She knows a dental visit can feel daunting, so she takes the time to listen and understand every concern, making sure each patient feels comfortable and valued in their care.
With more than 30 years of experience - Sheena has earned her Fellowship (FRACDS), demonstrating her dedication to advancing her skills. She has also worked as the resident dentist at Prince Henry’s Hospital, gaining invaluable experience treating trauma cases and medically compromised patients. Sheena further expanded her expertise working in the UK and various practices across Melbourne.
Qualifications & Registration
Dental degree — University of Melbourne
Fellowship, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS)
Over 30 years' clinical experience; at Ashburton Family Dental since 1996
AHPRA Registration: DEN0000952651
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Lead Dental Technician
Wayne
"Craftsmanship and technical precision."
Wayne is where the digital plan becomes something real. Working in close collaboration with your Studio dentist, he crafts and hand-finishes each restoration — blending advanced technology with the artistry of hands-on finishing, where years of experience make all the difference.
His approach combines the strength of modern materials with a deep respect for the intricate anatomy of the smile — refining shade, shape and texture so each result aims to look, feel and function like natural teeth.
Background
Bachelor of Dental Technology — University of Otago
Over 17 years' experience across laboratories in New Zealand and Australia
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Studio TREATMENT Coordinator
Sara
"Your one point of contact."
Sara is the first person you'll speak to, and the person who stays with you throughout — from your first enquiry to your final visit. Whether it's answering questions, scheduling appointments, or walking you through your written plan, she makes sure you always know what's happening and what comes next.
She grew up in rural Victoria and followed her mum into dentistry — bringing more than a decade of experience in the field, and a role at Ashburton Family Dental since 2018 that's grown into the heart of the Studio's patient care.