OUR TEAM
Meet Our Team
At Discover Dental, we have developed a team of very talented and dedicated individuals. Many of us have worked together for over 10 years. We are honest communicators who genuinely care for each other. Of course, this allows us to treat patients the same way.
Angela McKeefry
Dentist
Angela has been providing dental care in Wellington for almost 30 years, with the bulk of that time running her own successful practice.
Throughout her career, Angela has continued to devote a large amount of her time advancing her general, orthodontic, and cosmetic dentistry skills. Angela frequently completes over 100 hours of continuing education annually, which involves both technical and hands-on training. Her extensive training regularly takes her abroad to overseas training centres, often in America, Australia, Asia and occasionally Europe.
Angela is passionate about providing advanced dental care. This is supported by her strong interest in orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. In these fields, she has over 20 years experience, and her goal is to continue to provide state-of-the-art cosmetic dental care services.
“It is important to me to really understand what my patients want, then discuss the pros and cons of all options honestly. If possible, I will always lean towards a more conservative approach which preserves tooth structure and requires the least amount of long-term maintenance. My personal preference is achieving a beautiful natural smile, but if Hollywood glam is what you are after, we can provide that also.”
Angela lives in Island Bay with her husband and three children. Art is one of her favourite interests, and time spent painting is time in her happy place. A good book or a binge-worthy tv series, coupled with a glass or two of wine, never goes amiss either.
Chloe Stroud
Dentist
Chloe joined our practice in September 2023, taking over the reins from Olivia Henzell.
Chloe studied at Otago University where she first completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physiology. She then went on to study dentistry, graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2019. Since then, she has been working in Private Practice in the Wellington region. She enjoys being able to provide quality care for the community, having grown up in Wellington. She always strives to make dentistry as understandable and stress-free as possible for all of her patients.
Outside of the clinic, Chloe enjoys singing, music, and spending quality time with family and friends. She has recently taken some time to do some travelling, her highlights of which included exploring ancient pyramids in Mexico, hot-air ballooning in Turkey, and sampling the delicious local cuisine around Europe.
Ben Catherwood
Dentist
Ben graduated from Otago University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. After working at Napier hospital then A+E dental centres in Auckland, he spent a couple of years working in the UK. On return to NZ, he settled in Wellington and became the practice owner of Ben Catherwood Dental, now part of Discover Dental.
Ben enjoys the variety of general dental practice and the challenges it provides. He is married to Bridgette, has four children, and is an avid sports fan.
Richard Greenwood
Dentist
Richard is a 1992 graduate from the University of Otago Dental School. After university, he worked in the Porirua hospital dental department for 2 years, gaining valuable experience treating children and patients with special needs. He followed this with locum positions in Wellington and Edinburgh. He returned to become the owner of Richard Greenwood Dental. This evolved into Greenwood Grincare, which now is part of Discover Dental.
Richard has always enjoyed working with his hands. Combining this with the intellectual challenge modern dentistry provides has given him the perfect career.
Richard is always looking to improve the way we do dentistry. His aim is to help patients have the best possible dental health and healthier lifestyles. He loves being able to offer patients solutions that he knows will save their teeth, time, and money. He is an avid promoter of prevention and the use of ‘tooth conserving’ techniques. He maintains his skills with extensive continuing education, ensuring treatment is based on sound science and research.
Richard is married with three children, two at university and one at college. He is an amateur mandolin player and loves to ski, surf, and mountain bike. He is happiest enjoying the outdoors with his family and friends.
- Member of New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA)
- Member of New Zealand Institute of Minimal Intervention Dentistry (NZIMID)
- Member of New Zealand Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (NZACD)
- Member of Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry
- Member of Australian & New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry
Mélina Garneau
Hygienist
Mélina has been with the team since 2010. She is French-Canadian and obtained her Diploma in Dental Hygiene from Collège Boréal in Ontario, Canada. Mélina is truly passionate about her profession and is endlessly involved in continuous education courses and self-studies.
Mélina is an enthusiastic educator with a tremendous array of tips and tricks to help you look after your teeth. She has a remarkable ability to motivate even the most uninterested patients. Her gentle and sensitive touch means your hygiene visits are as comfortable as possible. She is also trained to give local anaesthetic if needed. Of course, if you are brave enough to try, she is very supportive of anyone wanting to try out their French language skills.
In her free time, Mélina enjoys exploring New Zealand’s great outdoors and teaching yoga. She is interested in psychology, nutrition, animals and music.
Denise Hunter
Hygienist
Denise graduated as a Hygienist from Glasgow Dental Hospital in 1997. She worked in private practice as well as Eastmans Dental Hospital in London where she worked alongside Periodontal specialists and tutored the hygiene/therapy course.
Denise enjoys attending conferences and providing health promotion to groups and local businesses in the Wellington area. She strives to provide excellent care and prevention of periodontal/gum disease to all of our patients.
Away from the office, Denise enjoys all sporting activities with Matt, her husband, and her son Jack.
Alaina Kalyan
Hygienist / Oral Health Therapist
Alaina graduated from Otago University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Oral Health. In her final year, she was awarded the Annette King award for the highest grade point average. Since qualifying Alaina has worked in Wellington for a Specialist Periodontist and reputable dentists. In 2016 she spent time in the Himalayas carrying out volunteer dental work and more recently Alaina spent two years working in private practices in London.
Alaina believes strongly in preventative dentistry and has a special interest in patients with periodontal disease. She has a friendly, kind natured and thorough approach to care with her patients.
Outside of work she likes travelling and exploring new eating places.
Sheryne Beeby
Hygienist
Sheryne started her dental career as a dental assistant for Richard’s predecessor, Peter Findlay. In 1997, she graduated as a dental hygienist from the Otago Polytechnic. She is particularly interested in the prevention of periodontal (gum) disease, and is an avid promoter of good dental health and the benefits it can give to a person’s general wellbeing.
Sheryne is a very experienced and meticulous clinician. She enjoys attending conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends and products. Her main focus is to provide a gentle and caring environment for all her patients. Sheryne's experience includes many years working for Dr William Gaudie’s specialist periodontal practice in Dixon Street.
Outside of the office, Sheryne keeps supremely fit. She was an aerobics instructor for several years and loves long distance running. She and her husband Miles are involved in social and competitive running and rock’n’roll dancing. Look out for her spinning the streets in the next Wellington Christmas parade.
Sarah Majeed-Gale
Hygienist
Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Oral Health in 2016 and has worked in both the public and private sectors with people of all ages.
She has a passion for health promotion and enjoys guiding her patients through their oral care, so they can improve their health outcomes. Her favourite part of the job is chatting to patients and reminding them that visiting the dental clinic doesn’t have to be an anxious experience.
Outside of work, Sarah loves to take photos, spend time with her friends and family, and she is also working towards a Master of Public Health through the University of Otago.
Rachael Gibson
Hygienist
Rachael used to work with Angela McKeefry in her previous practice. We are delighted that she has been able to join us at Discover Dental and reform the McKeefry team!
Sarah
Lead Dental Assistant
Sarah loves to play and follow football. She even managed to watch the Women's World Cup final live in Australia!
Sandy
Dental Assistant
Sandy is one of our fantastic dental assistants who has the added talent of being able to help out on reception. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her family.
Jemma
Dental Assistant
Jemma is an avid football player, recently returning from a football scholarship to the USA.
Olly
Dental Assistant
We were very lucky to have Olivia join us in 2009. She came to us on the international recommendation of a Kiwi dentist who worked with her in Fiji. Olivia is a very experienced dental assistant and was the first dental assistant in Fiji to be trained with the Nobel Biocare implant system.
Olivia is one of the kindest and most fun people we know. She dedicates herself to her job with selfless enthusiasm. She offers a caring and empathetic hand to those that need it. Her boundless energy and permanent smile will always brighten up your day.
Outside of work, she is a keen sportswoman, learning karate and playing soccer for the Naenae football club. She is also involved with her local church group. In her holidays, she likes nothing more than to travel the world volunteering for medical missions. And we must mention she has a love of Pandas.
Jasmine
Dental Assistant
Jasmine is a wonderfully friendly and highly motivated member of our team. She was born and raised in the sunny Bay of Plenty, moving to the Wellington region with her family in 2009. She studied at Victoria University and graduated in 2013 with a BSc in Geography. She joined us soon after, embracing the many challenges of dental assisting and quickly learning the ropes of the Dental Assistants course. We are very grateful she was born into ‘Generation X’, as she is also our unofficial in-house IT and audiovisual expert.
Jasmine’s interests include cars, computer gaming and baking incredible delights. The great days at work are the ones where we get to sample her baking at staff morning tea, all sugar free of course.
Kim
Dental Assistant
Kim joined us in 2009 as Andrew Findlay's chairside assistant. Her many years in the dental field have made her an invaluable member of our practice. Earlier in her career, Kim gained her NZ Dental Association Dental Assistant’s qualification in her hometown of Edgecome. Shortly after, she moved to a new position in a busy Whakatane dental practice as the Clinical Manager.
Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family. She has a keen interest in arts and crafts, including weaving with flax. Recently, she has started to learn how to play chess. She enjoys visiting Wellington’s great restaurants and theatres and has a love of the outdoors, exploring our beautiful New Zealand.
Jyo
Dental Assistant
Jyo has been with us since June 2021. She is calm, friendly and has great communication skills, which is just what you want in your dental team. She loves helping our hygienists make the patient experience as comfortable as possible.
Jyo likes nothing better than spending a day in the outdoors hiking or geocaching. She is also an avid indoor gardener with a spectacular collection of exotic cacti.
Johanna
Dental Assistant
Johanna also used to be part of Angela Mckeefry's previous dental practice. She is friendly, hardworking, and has been a wonderful addition to our team.
Maria
Dental Assistant
Maria works mainly as a dental assistant for Sheryne, our hygienist.
Simmone
Receptionist
Simmonne started back with us in April 2022, after taking an extended break to raise her young tamariki.
One of the first people you will meet when arriving, Simmonne is friendly, knowledgeable and can help with your bookings, payments, and any other queries you may have. She enjoys spending time with her whānau, doing household projects, and is interested in the world of finance and investing. She also volunteers with a local Ngeru Rescue Group, who are focused on getting wild cats and kittens off the streets and into loving homes.
Kimberley
Lead Receptionist & Financial Coordinator
Kimberley joined our team in May 2023. She was a teacher for six years, including three years teaching English in Japan, but she called it quits to be with family and focus on her creative pursuits. Currently, she is writing an epic fantasy novel, but she also dabbles in short stories, digital art, and songwriting.
Her quest in life is to have many adventures. She loves to travel, go restaurant hunting for tasty food, and even enjoys the odd extreme sport. (Though a nice nature walk doesn’t go amiss either.) Otherwise, she is happy binging Kdramas and listening to heavy metal.