Dr Sam Moeung (Otago)

“I understand that most patients are apprehensive when coming to the dentist. That’s why I try to make each visit a pleasant experience for my patients. In fact, most of my patients comment that the treatment hardly hurt at all and a lot less than they were expecting! Also, the relaxed atmosphere at the GDC helps put our patients at ease.” With over 25 years of experience, Sam graduated from Otago University in 1997 and following a couple of years at an Accident and Emergency Centre in Auckland, has been practising at the Gentle Dental Centre in Wellington (his home town) ever since. He became partner/owner in 2010 and was heavily involved in setting up their Lambton Quay, Ghuznee street and Upper Hutt branches. He enjoys all facets of dentistry with a special interest in endodontics (root canal treatment), replacing missing teeth and restoring badly broken down or heavily filled teeth. He is focused on delivering pain-free high-quality dentistry. With the aid of some of the latest technology available at the Gentle Dental Centre, he strives to achieve predictable, long-lasting results while giving his patients the most comfortable experience possible in the dental chair. So that he can deliver the best possible care to his patients, Sam regularly attends courses both in NZ and overseas. Currently, he is partway through a nine-course curriculum at the renowned Kois Centre in Seattle, USA upskilling in key areas such as restorative, aesthetics, occlusion, and full mouth oral rehabilitation. “I realise that a lot of patients can’t afford the optimum treatment recommended; that’s why I always take the time to carefully explain to my patients all the treatment options available and in many cases, I can create a treatment plan that stages out the treatment over a length of time to fit in with their budget.” Away from dentistry, he is kept busy chasing around after his four kids (and wife), providing a “taxi service” carting them all around Wellington to their various sports and activities. He is an avid sports fan in particular rugby and cricket. He also enjoys music, film, mountain biking and the occasional round of golf.