Business North November 2021

36 | Something to really smile about T T Sue Russell Ngareka Bensemann: “I’m very fortunate to have this team here.” Whāriki Business Network: Marsden Cove Dental REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT N gareka Bensemann has opened her own dental practice at One Tree Point, Marsden Bay, just south of Whanga- rei. She gained a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at Otago University, having initially engaged in a health science year before switching to dentistry. “For me it was about how important teeth are to your general health and for a person’s self-esteem.” Having moved to the district in 2017, Ngare- ka always aspired to eventually have her own business. Her family has links to the North that stretch back to her great-grandfather, Maori Battalion Commander Arapeta Awatere. Opening her own dental centre has given Ngareka the opportunity to build a team of like-minded professionals in her small practice and to create an environment that reflects her passion and values. And at the centre of her practice is a young team, including a dental hygienist, an assistant and an practice administrator. “I’m very fortunate to have this team here. They are all very focussed on providing the very best care to our clients.” When it came to creating the environ- ment to practice out of, Ngareka sought the guidance and inspiration of Hayden Pirie and the team of Whangarei based CDM (Contract Design & Management), a company that within its raft of services supplies specialised dentistry fit-out services. When COVID lockdown came along it provided Ngareka with the opportunity to put more time into opening her own practice and to give more thought into how she wanted the environment to look and feel like. There is space inside for three chairs, allow- ing for growth in the practice in time. Engaging with CDM gave Ngareka the op- “I’m in the process of designing and fitting out the mobile clinic and I think for this part of the country its going to be a really valuable service.” portunity to consider a range of ideas for floor layout, helping cement her own thinking. She wanted something that didn’t look too ‘clinicy’ and had a modern feel to it. The result Ngareka describes as a really beautiful space for her team to work in and a warm and wel- come, easy space for clients to experience. “We worked collaboratively with a blend of my ideas on the physical spaces and their input from their years of experience working for this sector. Starting out a practice from scratch isn’t something you necessarily plan to do. I was told it was too risky, so I found the support from CDM invaluable.” Ngareka says they have been busy since opening with a late night on Thursday. This hasn’t stopped her thinking about other dimensions to the practice including offering a mobile clinic to go to the local high school and to travel up North where not all have easy access to dental care. “I’m in the process of designing and fitting out the mobile clinic and I think for this part of the country its going to be a really valuable service.” Marsden Cove Dental Clinic offers the full gambit of dentistry services, from simple cleaning, through general dentistry practices, root canal treatments, referrals if necessary to oral surgeons, extractions and dentures. “It’s been a big journey to get my own prac- tice up and running and I’m so pleased we are now open for business and doing so well.” Marsden Cove Dental Clinic offers the full gambit of dentistry services.