Our Peoples Stories

Access Dental is a General Family Dentistry Practice that endeavours to make dental care accessible to all.  Access Dental’s staff wish to make a real difference in the public’s image of dentistry,’ the practice prides itself on being welcoming, relaxing, gentle, caring, with a range of professional procedures’.  The Access Dental team acknowledges the importance of working within the budgets of their patients, and offers a Dental Wellness Members Club, this will provide a basis for those who struggle to find extra money for their dental needs. ‘We want our patients to feel listened to, work out a realistic dental plan, being mindful of their current circumstances.’  The Access Dental Team want to build a relationship with their patients where they feel valued, and have received a dental experience that makes them want to come without hesitation

Pierre Gill Clinical Lead Registered Dentist	Paula Palmer Registered Dental Hygienist	Ted Piercy Registered Dentist
Courtney Zwart Dental Assistant	Kim Wedgwood Receptionist	Miritza Vining Accounts Administrator	Rachel McQuillan Dental Assistant

Access Dental Philosophy

A New Direction in Dentistry

Allow us to look after your general dental needs, we welcome you, your family and friends to a relaxing, gentle dental experience. Our team strongly advocates prevention of tooth decay and gum disease through early intervention and education, as it is the least traumatic and most cost effective way to discourage preventable diseases of the mouth. How do we do this? Through regular examinations of the teeth, soft tissues and the bone structure of the mouth.  The Access Dental Team has experience of over 50 years combined, we have an emphasis on sharing knowledge to ensure our patients can make informed choices concerning their oral health. We strongly advocate prevention through education, we invite our loyalty members, to free educational tutorials.  Access Dental provides accessible oral care for all, including dental emergencies and toothaches, with longer and variable appointments available, affordability through our loyalty programmes, free parking and wheel chair access.

The Access Dental Team

General Dentists:

All our dentists ensure you are communicated with, at a high level, and informed of your choices with a comprehensive treatment plan.  Working you towards less dental work in the future through good education and preventative measures put in place.  It is important that your experience is a positive one, with any of Dentists or Dental Hygienists at Access Dental, we believe being gentle while treating you is of the utmost importance.

Dental Hygiene Hub:

Paula Palmer, is one of our Dental Hygienist, with experience over 25 years in dentistry. Paula has gained comprehensive dental knowledge, first working as a dental assistant, training as a Dental Therapist, then studying Dental Hygiene in the early 1990’s. Paula, has worked with a number of local general dental practices, along with specialist prothodontists, orthodontists, endodontists and oral specialists.

Paula has also held leadership roles nationally and locally in health and community groups and gets satisfaction from working with like-minded people to achieve a common goal.

Paula has served as President of the NZ Dental Hygiene Association and was the Nelson region President for the past 5 years. She has completed her certificate in Competent Communication through her local Toastmasters, this enabling her to communicate clearly both publicly and one on one with patients.