In todays' evolving healthcare landscape, dentists play a crucial role in the management of medically complex patients. Providing comprehensive and compassionate care requires an understanding of each patient's needs, including any related medical conditions. This webinar series will explore a number of topics aimed at giving practical advice for dentists to navigate the challenges of treating patients with diverse medical needs in dental practice.

Learning outcomes

1: Cardiac conditions by Sunethra Tennekoon 31st March 2025 2: Bleeding Disorders by Beatrice Ng 5th June 2025 3:“Dental Fitness” and Head and Neck Cancer Treatment by Graeme Ting 26th June 2025 4: Oral Health Challenges for Older People by Guo Ling 17th July 2025 5: Dental Treatment and patients with Anxiety by Andrea Kelsen 8th September 2025 6: Immunocompromised Patients by Emma Jefferies 9th October 2025 7: Management of patients with intellectual disabilities by Jack Lintern 30th October 2025 8: ‘Phossy Jaw’ – the elephant in the room by David Antunovic 13th November 2025

Speakers

Dr Sunethra Tennekoon BDS DClinDent (Special Needs Dentistry)

BDS DClinDent (Special Needs Dentistry)

Dr Beatrice Ng BDS (Hons), MFDS RCSEd, DClinDent (SND), MRACDS (SND)

Beatrice was born and raised in Borneo, Malaysia, and later relocated to New Zealand to pursue specialist training. She attained a clinical doctoral degree in Special Needs Dentistry from the University of Otago. Beatrice then proceeded to work in the specialty at Christchurch Hospital before eventually settling in Tauranga. Beatrice provides both private and public Special Care Dentistry services under Tauranga Special Care Dentistry, Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty and Te Toka Tumai Auckland. Beatrice has a passion for improving the oral health of those with higher health needs and finds fulfilment in helping patients to improve their quality of life.

Dr Graeme Ting BDS, MDS, MSc, DABSCD, FICD, FRACDS (Special Needs)

Graeme is a Special Care Dentistry specialist who has previously worked for Auckland District Health Board; King’s College Hospital, London; and the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago. Graeme is a Diplomate of the Special Care Dentistry Association, USA (with recognised proficiency in Hospital Dentistry) and has a special interests in caring for patients undergoing head and neck cancer treatment and the care of older people with dementia. Graeme currently works for NZDA as Director – Clinical Governance, and is a locum consultant in Special Care Dentistry at Hutt Hospital.

Dr Guo Ling BDS, DClinDent (SND) Hospital Dental Surgeon | Auckland Regional Hospital and Specialist Dentistry

Guo completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from the University of Otago in 2002. He began his career as a dental house surgeon with Auckland District Health Board (DHB), before moving into general private practice. Guo returned to Otago and successfully completed his Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent) in Special Needs Dentistry in 2011. Currently, Guo is a full-time dental consultant at Auckland Regional Hospital & Specialist Dentistry, Te Whatu Ora – Te Toka Tumai Auckland. He practices a wide range of general and special care dentistry, with a particular focus on providing comprehensive oral health care to medically complex patients. Guo has a special interest in the oral health of older adults with complex disabilities and is a strong advocate for shared-care dentistry, promoting a collaborative approach where individuals with special needs can access care from both community and hospital-based dental services.

Dr Andrea Kelsen BDS, DClinDent (Special Needs Dentistry)

Andrea graduated from university of Otago 1999 with a BDS and went to work at Capital Coast Hospital Dental Service for two years until she left to go on a working OE in the United Kingdom for four years. She returned to New Zealand in 2006 after being offered her ideal job at Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth where she has worked as a clinician for the past 17 years. She undertook a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (Special Needs) which was completed in 2010. Since completing her postgraduate studies, she has also undertaken a Diploma in Health Coaching and Nutrition. She is a keen clinician and feels her skills lie in making dentistry as pleasant and accessible for all her patients. In her spare time she is a keen but very bad runner, enjoys gardening and accessing the outdoors.

Dr Emma Jefferies BDS, DClinDent (Special Needs Dentistry)

Following graduation from Otago in 2015, she moved to Christchurch where she worked as a Dental House Officer at the Christchurch Hospital Dental Service for two years. During this time, she had some exposure to special care dentistry, which sparked her interest in this area. Following her House Officer years, her started a position as a senior dentist in the special needs team, while also working part time in private practice. Emma completed post graduate DClinDent is Special Needs Dentistry in 2021 while continuing to work at the Christchurch Hospital Dental service. She am passionate about providing care to people with a range of special needs, with a particular interest in providing accessible care to high needs and vulnerable adults as well as individuals with complex medical problems.

Dr Jack Lintern BDS DClinDent (Special Needs Dentistry)

Dr Jack Lintern is a dentist based in Auckland practicing at Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland City Hospital, and Middlemore Hospital. Dr Lintern earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Otago in 2014 and later completed his Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Special Needs Dentistry in 2023 from the same University. His expertise includes providing dental care for patients with complex medical, physical or developmental conditions across the Auckland region.

Dr David Antunovic BDS Dip Clin Dent (Perio) FRACDS (Special Needs) FFOMP (RCPA) NZSSM

David Antunovic works both in a busy private practice and for the Taranaki DHB/ Te Whatu Ora Taranaki as Clinical Leader-Dental. David was a founding member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Special Needs Dentistry (ANZASND). He is a specialist special care dentist and consultant to Taranaki Base hospital and Advisor and Educator for the Community oral Health Service. David is an External clinical advisor to ACC for treatment injury. He has practiced in NZ and central London, has undertaken postgraduate study at the University of Otago and has successfully completed fellowships with the RACDS and the RACP and has been an external examiner for both the RACDS and the University of Otago. He has been appointed Chairman of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons RACDS - New Zealand Regional Committee.