SPEAKERS
- 25 – 27 SEPTEMBER 2025
- Crowne Plaza Queenstown, NZ
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr. Joana Monteiro
Paediatric Dentist
Joana joined the University of Sheffield in 2021 and currently works as a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry. Her main interests are the care of children with dental anomalies, with a focus on improving outcomes and patient experiences. She is undertaking a PhD investigating hypersensitivity in children with molar incisor hypomineralisation. Joana leads a joint clinic for children with metabolic bone disease, including rare conditions such as osteogenesis imperfecta and X-linked hypophosphatemia.
She co-founded the UK Clinical Excellence Network for amelogenesis imperfecta and dentinogenesis imperfecta to support best practice and multidisciplinary collaboration and is currently co-editing a book on Amelogenesis Imperfecta. Joana has published on topics related to paediatric dental anomalies and contributes to national and international clinical guidelines development.
Dr. Patrick Ruck
Paediatric Dentist
As a paediatric dentist, Patrick specialises in the comprehensive treatment and care of children, teens, and special-needs patients. Having experienced fear and negative experiences at the dentist as a child, he was drawn to paediatric dentistry with the goal of creating a positive experience for patients and becoming a provider they enjoy visiting.
Patrick has practiced in a variety of rural and low-income areas, emphasising a care philosophy centred on understanding the specific needs and backgrounds of the patient populations within these communities. Building relationships with families and getting to know patients is a key aspect of their approach to care.
After serving in the National Health Service Corps for four years and working with Native American communities, Patrick developed a strong passion for public health. They take great pride in this service and deeply valued the experience of working with Native communities.
Cincinnati Children’s is a welcoming and resourceful place for families, and Patrick is excited to be part of such an extensive programme with access to diverse clinical research areas.
MORE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCING SOON – STAY TUNED!
Featured speakers
Dr. Harleen Kumar
Paediatric Dentist
A/Prof Kumar is a paediatric dentist who obtained her Bachelor of Dental Science followed by a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry degree from The University of Melbourne. She completed a 2-year advanced fellowship in Paediatric Dentistry and continued on as a consultant paediatric dentist at Boston Children’s Hospital, USA. A/Prof Kumar was faculty and lecturer at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston for 4 years. Currently, she is the Head of Department for Paediatric Dentistry at Sydney Dental Hospital. Harleen is an invited lecturer in paediatric dentistry both locally and overseas and has a particular interest in Chronic Disease Management, behaviour management, and developmental defects of enamel.
Dr. Shayden Bell
Endodontist
Dr. Shayden Bell is a specialist endodontist with a strong foundation in general dentistry.
Originally from Whakatane, Shayden moved to Dunedin to pursue his dental studies, graduating with distinction in 2017 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
In addition to his practical experience, Shayden recently graduated with a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry from the University of Otago, further enhancing his expertise in endodontics.
Dr. Andrew Mackie
Prosthodontist
Andrew is an external examiner (Department of Oral Rehabilitation) for the Otago School of Dentistry and is past President of the Waikato / Bay of Plenty branch of the New Zealand Dental Association.
Andrew has also lectured nationally and internationally and is past President of the New Zealand Association of Prosthodontists and Restorative Dentists.
Andrew is also the facilitator for the graduate professional development programme in the Waikato / Bay of Plenty Region. In his spare time Andrew is a keen surfer.
Dr. Alex Wallace
Paediatrician
Dr Alex Wallace is a Paediatrician at Waikato Hospital and Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. She trained in New Zealand and the UK, and completed a PhD at the Liggins Institute. Her research focuses on bronchiolitis and preschool wheeze/asthma, collaborating closely with Starship Hospital and research networks including PREDICT and CIRCAN. She co-authored the WASP Study and is currently leading the STAR Study. Outside of work, Alex enjoys life on a lifestyle block near Hamilton with her family, adventure racing, and writing crime fiction.
Vicky Stuart-Jones
Physiotherapist/Pilates instructor
Founder of Pilates Centre in 2000, Vicky is a registered physiotherapist and Polestar Pilates certified instructor. She has been teaching Pilates since 1999 and has been continuing with ongoing education in Pilates, NKT (neurokinetic therapy advanced level), anatomy trains (myofascial) and physiotherapy courses and workshops. She has completed courses in pelvic health and corrective exercise, and womens health.
Vicky believes passionately in the healing power of movement and strives to empower her clients to understand their bodies better to improve their quality of life.
Her outside interests include drumming in a samba band, playing guitar, dancing, paddle boarding, tramping and enjoying being with family and friends at her Raglan home.
Prof Nigel Curtis
Chair of Paediatric Infectious Diseases
Paediatrics Royal Children’s Hospital
Professor Marie Cornelis
Orthodontist
Professor and Head of Orthodontics
Melbourne Dental School
Professor Alastair Sloan
Head of School
Melbourne Dental School
Dr Balvindar Kaur
Staff Anaesthetist
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
Dr Eduardo Alcaino
Paediatric Dentist
Dr John Sheahan
Paediatric Dentist
Dr Peter Wong
Paediatric Dentist
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