Our story
Aspiring Dental has an enduring history as a family business, with roots tracing back to July 1984. Founded by Steve Brett, under the McDougall Street redwood trees, the dental practice was originally known as “Steve Brett Dental.”
The practice steadily grew and in April 1994, moved to its more central location, 64 Brownston Street, where it still stands today.
1999 signified another step forward, taking on the name "Aspiring Dental." This change marked a new chapter for the dental clinic, signifying its commitment to community care. Over the years, Aspiring Dental continued to prove its dedication to excellence as Wānaka’s leading dentist.
In 2005, Michael Brett, Steve's son, joined the practice, bringing with him a renewed passion for dentistry and a desire to carry forward the family legacy.
The passing of the torch took place in September 2016, when Michael purchased the practice from his father, who retired later that year. Steve's departure marked the end of an era, but the foundation he laid down, and the values instilled in Aspiring Dental, continued to guide the practice.
Since then, Aspiring Dental has helped countless patients with their oral health, upheld by a collaborative and talented dental team. The clinic's commitment to excellence remains unwavering, and with over 40 years servicing the Wānaka community, the legacy of Aspiring Dental lives on.
Meet the team
Our dedicated and skilled team is the cornerstone of who we are. We always put our people first, working collaboratively to uphold the warm, welcoming environment and friendly atmosphere we pride ourselves in.
Our dental team
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Owner & Dentist (BDS)
Michael was raised in Wānaka from the age of 12. Upon gaining his Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree he returned to Wānaka to work at the family dental practice which was owned by his father Steve. Steve retired from dentistry in 2016 and Michael bought the practice. Michael is a caring, friendly clinician, married to Alanna, a local pharmacist and has three young boys to chase after. He is interested in many outdoor activities and spends spare time with family, friends and his pet animals.
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Dentist (BDS)
Saleema moved from Dunedin where she owned Dentistry of Musselburgh for over 25 years, alongside teaching at The University of Otago Dental School. She is passionate about dentistry and loves finding solutions to suit you personally. Saleema aims to give the highest quality of dental care, tailored to each individual, while taking into account overall needs and health. She delivers this in a relaxed, gentle and caring atmosphere. When not working she is tramping, learning golf, at the gym, skiing, biking or with family and friends.
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Dentist (BDS)
Oliver graduated Otago University Dental School in 2013 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. On graduation Oliver moved up to Tāupo to work in a private practice for a couple of years. After a year travelling overseas the world Oliver decided Wānaka, with all of its outdoor pursuits would be the perfect place to work and live. Oliver enjoys all aspects of general dentistry and has a special interest in minimal intervention dentistry, whether that be through prevention methods or using technology and modern approaches to fixing teeth. Outside of work you'll find him on his mountain bike, fly fishing the rivers around Otago, or up the mountain skiing in winter. Oliver’s kind and gentle nature will make you at ease in the dental clinic.
Our hygiene team
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Hygienist (BHS)
Lucy is originally from Alexandra. She graduated in 2004 from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Health Science endorsed in Dental Hygiene. Lucy has worked in Melbourne, Wellington and moved to Wānaka in 2014 where she started at Aspiring Dental. What Lucy enjoys the most about her job is getting to know her clients, teaching them about the importance of oral health and seeing the positive changes you can make together. Lucy lives in Albert Town with her husband Ben, son Louie and dog Freddie. When Lucy is not at work she is with her boys, up the slopes in winter, on the mountain bike trails in summer or pottering around in the garden.
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Hygienist (BOH)
Tori graduated from the University of Otago in 2014 with a Bachelor of Oral Health. She worked for a year for the Southern DHB before moving into private practice in Christchurch. Now, based in Alexandra, Tori covers hygiene patients there and in Wānaka. In her time off, she enjoys gardening and creating garments.
Our values
Quality
Quality is paramount in what we do. We consistently strive to deliver top-notch dental care, ensuring our patients receive the highest standard of treatment and walk away feeling satisfied with their oral health outcomes.
Innovation
Our practice uses leading technologies and techniques to provide our patients with effective dental treatments. We even offer same-day ceramic crowns using a digital scanner and a CAD/CAM milling machine.
Compassion
We get it; going to the dentist is not always easy. We do our best to approach every patient with compassion and understanding for their unique situation.
Community
A healthy community contributes to a thriving community. Doing our part to uphold the health & wellbeing of the people of Wānaka is at the core of what we do.
Personalised care
We understand everyone has different requirements when it comes to their oral health. We believe in tailoring every treatment to the unique needs of each patient, ensuring a practical and cost-effective solution.
Proactivity
At Aspiring Dental, we take proactive measures towards oral health, using preventive care strategies to empower patients with a lifetime of healthy smiles.