Dr Nic van der Walt
Principal Dentist
What is your role at VDW Dental?
I am the original founder/owner of van der Walt Dental and the Principal Dentist. With the help of my team I provide the range general dental services performed in a private practice. My role is to discuss with patients their concerns and problems, helping them understand their issues, and then offer a range of possible solutions so that they can make a choice as to which solution they feel is best for them.
What is your main area of expertise?
My main area of expertise is general dental practice within my level of comfort and experience. But I feel the most important area is that of communication with my patients.
What do you love about working with the van der Walt Dental Team?
There is a great pleasure working with people who have a high level of skill and pride in their professional abilities. The synergistic effect of a good team working together elevates it to a championship status and a joy to be a member.
What is your favourite thing about the Bundaberg community?
Bundaberg fits in the “just right” position between a busy city and a quiet country town. Big enough for many sporting clubs and special interest groups but small enough for the members to be warm and welcoming. Bundaberg doesn’t suffer from the tense rushed city feel, and this is reflected in the demeaner of the population on a daily basis.
What is your top Dental Hygiene Tip for patients?
To have healthy teeth and gums, you must clean every surface of every tooth and your tongue every day. This takes time, patience and a certain level of skill. So don’t give up flossing in frustration and keep practicing. Plaque disclosing tablets have been proven to be very effective in training people to be very thorough with brushing and flossing.
Liz van der Walt
Owner/Practice Manager
What is your main area of expertise?
I do anything and everything that is required to ensure every day runs smoothly.
What do you love about working with the van der Walt Dental Team?
The hot Dentist! HAHAHA! ;)
When Nic and I “hung -up our shingle” and started the practice 34 years ago, we started the Practice from nothing with nothing. We were essentially two kids with a dream. I love that now I can be part of a Practice that nurtures both our staff and patients. We have established a rapport within the Practice that goes beyond staff morale. We are genuinely interested and concerned about the lives of the people we work with outside work. A bit like a family, and I believe this is reflected in the way we respect and treat each other and our Patients. All our staff are intelligent, skilled, competent and capable; and it is a pleasure to work with them everyday.
What is your favourite thing about the Bundaberg community?
You can be involved as little or as much as you want to be in the Bundaberg community. If you are like me and can’t wait to get outdoors and enjoy our fantastic climate and stunning beaches, there are run clubs, paddle board clubs, outrigger clubs, cycling clubs, swim clubs, surf life saving clubs. If you prefer team sports, there are football, soccer netball, athletics clubs. Or if you prefer more “indoorsey” pursuits, there’s quilting, pottery, wood turning, bridge and mahjong for you. And of course, there is the Rotary, Lions and Quota etc. There is something for everyone.
What is your top Dental Hygiene Tip for patients?
Floss your teeth every day!
Mal Cottle
Dental Therapist/Hygienist
What is your main area of expertise?
Mal is acknowledged by the people he works with and his peers for his soft hands and ability to work with children.
From the first appointment, Mal often uses puppets for a “tell, show, do” approach to successfully see children.
Mal often states working with children is not just being able to treat them and knowing what you can do, but also knowing what you can’t do.
What do you love about working with the van der Walt Dental Team?
Mal’s care working with children also assists in the hygienist component of looking after patients at VDW Dental for their scales and cleans. Assisting Dr. Nic VDW with preventative aspects makes a strong team for meticulous, careful and compassionate care.
What is your favourite thing about the Bundaberg community?
After working in a metropolitan, rural and remote areas, being able to offer diagnostic and treatment pathways for local families is important.
Chantelle
Senior Dental Assistant
What is your main area of expertise?
I do a bit of everything but I really enjoy surgical extractions and crown procedures.
What do you love about working with the van der Walt Dental Team?
I love that everyone is so happy and easy going!
What is your favourite thing about the Bundaberg community?
That there are so many beautiful beaches to explore.
What is your top Dental Hygiene Tip for patients?
Daily flossing.
Gemma King
Dental Assistant
What is your main area of expertise?
Assisting
What do you love about working with the van der Walt Dental Team?
How nice and welcoming everyone is.
What is your top Dental Hygiene Tip for patients?
Floss daily!
Flossy
Keeping Mal in Line
What is your main area of expertise?
Making kids laugh and waking up squirt ready to wash kids tooth brushes.
What do you love about working with the van der Walt Dental Team?
Mal and I have been a team together for the longest!
What is your favourite thing about the Bundaberg community?
Mal lives here.
What is your top Dental Hygiene Tip for patients?
Brush your teeth twice a day!
Ask a Question or Book an Appointment
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