Dr David Antunovic

From 2025 Dave will no longer be looking after private patients, as he is focusing on his roles at Health NZ and Otago University. He is still an integral part of the Vivian Dental team, providing support and mentorship and often popping in on a Friday to help with special cases. David graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago in 1982. In 1992 he completed a post-graduate diploma in periodontology, with distinction and was awarded the inaugural FRACDS Fellowship in Special Needs Dentistry in 2002. He began his career as a private practice dentist in New Plymouth, before moving to Auckland in 1985 and London in 1987. He returned to New Plymouth in 1991 from London and bought his existing practice with his wife, Dot Newton. At the same time, he joined the dental team at Taranaki Base Hospital. In private practice he has developed a practice culture with a strong focus on gum health and prevention. He has a particular interest in implants and CAD-CAM technology making crowns and implants. His special needs qualifications gives him a wide understanding of oral health. He is currently Clinical Leader-Dental at Te Whata Ora Taranaki and is Professional Practice Fellow and Discipline Head-Special Needs Dentistry at University of Otago, Faculty of Dentistry. David has been president of many dental societies and has lectured on many topics in New Zealand and the Pacific rim. He is an external clinical advisor to the ACC Corporation and an external examiner for the University of Otago and the RACDS in Sydney. As a Forensic Odontologist he was deployed to the Boxing Day Tsunami in Phuket in 2005, Operation Earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 and the mosque attacks in Christchurch in 2019. He was awarded the NZ Special Service Medal in 2006. David is a born and bred Taranakian.