At Newtown Dental, we are a team of caring, experienced dental professionals who use only the most advanced technologies, materials and procedures.
Greeted personally, treated personally
At our community-focused practice, your comfort and satisfaction come first. We offer early morning and late evening appointments, so you don’t have to miss work or school for your care, something our team feels strongly about.
We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen and get to know each patient as an individual. The entire team at Newtown Dental looks forward to seeing you soon and developing a relationship with you focused on long-term trust and successful dental care. See why our patients can’t stop smiling!
Newtown Dental Staff
Our exceptional, friendly staff is our greatest asset. All of our dental assistants and hygienists are licensed professionals who pride themselves on their current dental techniques and outstanding patient communication. With unmatched quality and integrity, they are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for you and your family.
Since your comfort and health are our top priorities, Newtown Dental’s staff is glad to assist you in any way. If you have any questions at all, from treatment options and sterilisation to insurance concerns and paperwork, we’re here for you! We can assure you that you’ll enjoy your dental visit!
Meet our Doctors
Meet Dr. Rafid Salih (Ray)
BDS, NZDREX, PGDipClinDent (Otago)
Dr. Salih is the owner and principal dentist at Newtown Dental and he has extensive experience in hospital, military and general practice dentistry both in New Zealand and overseas. He is very interested in continuing professional education and has completed a postgraduate diploma in clinical dentistry in general practice dentistry from Otago University. Dr. Salih is a highly experienced and qualified dentist with a track record of delivering a high standard of general dentistry for over 20 years. As a general dentist he is experienced in all areas of dental care including comprehensive crown and bridge cases, root canal treatments and also wisdom teeth removal.
Meet Dr. Graham Symes
BDS, MDS, FRACDS
Dr. Graham Symes is an experienced general dental practitioner with a particular interest in oral surgery and the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions. He graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Otago University in 1985 and after 2 years as a House Surgeon at Wellington Hospital he returned to Otago to complete a Master of Dental Surgery in 1990. He completed his examinations to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in 2004. He was also honoured to become a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in 2008 and Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International in 2011. He previously owned and operated a large dental practice in central Wellington for over 20 years and after taking some time off from dentistry to travel he has returned on a part time basis at Newtown Dental.
Meet Dr. David Wang
BDS, The University of Otago, 2020
Dr. David Wang graduated from the University of Otago in 2020, and as a new graduate dentist it was his great opportunity to be able to work in the capital at the start of his career. He is interested in all aspects of dentistry, especially oral surgery and restorative work. He speaks both English and Mandarin. When on vacation he enjoys taking small trips and travelling to different countries to experience the different cultures.
Meet Dr. Varsha Jeyaprakash
BDS, NZDREX, MDent Aesthetics (Otago)
Dr. Varsha Jeyaprakash completed her BDS degree and graduated from Mahatma Gandhi University in 2013 after completing residency in all scopes of general dental practice. After working briefly in India she moved to join her husband in Wellington. Dr. Varsha has been practicing general dentistry at Newtown Dental since early 2015 after successfully passing the New Zealand dental registration examination. Her special interest in aesthetic dentistry and restorative work prompted her sabbatical from work to complete her Masters in aesthetic dentistry from University of Otago, graduating in 2021. She’s back with the wonderful and inclusive team at Newtown Dental once again and practices all scopes of dentistry with special interest in aesthetics/cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Her clinical focus is on providing comprehensive care for patients with varying treatment needs and her end goal is always to serve the community and create an environment of healthy and sustainable long-term dental health in a gentle and patient-centred manner.
Meet Dr. Faatina Patu
Hi, my name is Faatina Patu.
I graduated with a bachelor of dental surgery from Otago University in 2021. I then worked as a House Officer at the National hospital of Samoa for a year. I enjoy all aspects of dentistry particularly oral surgery and periodontics.
I am passionate about encouraging children to develop good oral hygiene habits and I am excited to work at Newtown Dental.
I’m fluent in both English and Samoan.
Newtown Dental Staff
Our exceptional, friendly staff is our greatest asset. All of our dental assistants and hygienists are licensed professionals who pride themselves on their current dental techniques and outstanding patient communication. With unmatched quality and integrity, they are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for you and your family.
Since your comfort and health are our top priorities, Newtown Dental’s staff is glad to assist you in any way. If you have any questions at all, from treatment options and sterilisation to insurance concerns and paperwork, we’re here for you! We can assure you that you’ll enjoy your dental visit!
Meet our Doctors
Meet Dr. Rafid Salih (Ray)
BDS, NZDREX, PGDipClinDent (Otago)
Dr. Salih is the owner and principal dentist at Newtown Dental and he has extensive experience in hospital, military and general practice dentistry both in New Zealand and overseas. He is very interested in continuing professional education and has completed a postgraduate diploma in clinical dentistry in general practice dentistry from Otago University. Dr. Salih is a highly experienced and qualified dentist with a track record of delivering a high standard of general dentistry for over 20 years. As a general dentist he is experienced in all areas of dental care including comprehensive crown and bridge cases, root canal treatments and also wisdom teeth removal.
Meet Dr. Graham Symes
BDS, MDS, FRACDS
Dr. Graham Symes is an experienced general dental practitioner with a particular interest in oral surgery and the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions. He graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Otago University in 1985 and after 2 years as a House Surgeon at Wellington Hospital he returned to Otago to complete a Master of Dental Surgery in 1990. He completed his examinations to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in 2004. He was also honoured to become a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in 2008 and Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International in 2011. He previously owned and operated a large dental practice in central Wellington for over 20 years and after taking some time off from dentistry to travel he has returned on a part time basis at Newtown Dental.
Meet Dr. David Wang
BDS, The University of Otago, 2020
Dr. David Wang graduated from the University of Otago in 2020, and as a new graduate dentist it was his great opportunity to be able to work in the capital at the start of his career. He is interested in all aspects of dentistry, especially oral surgery and restorative work. He speaks both English and Mandarin. When on vacation he enjoys taking small trips and travelling to different countries to experience the different cultures.
Meet Dr. Varsha Jeyaprakash
BDS, NZDREX, MDent Aesthetics (Otago)
Dr. Varsha Jeyaprakash completed her BDS degree and graduated from Mahatma Gandhi University in 2013 after completing residency in all scopes of general dental practice. After working briefly in India she moved to join her husband in Wellington. Dr. Varsha has been practicing general dentistry at Newtown Dental since early 2015 after successfully passing the New Zealand dental registration examination. Her special interest in aesthetic dentistry and restorative work prompted her sabbatical from work to complete her Masters in aesthetic dentistry from University of Otago, graduating in 2021. She’s back with the wonderful and inclusive team at Newtown Dental once again and practices all scopes of dentistry with special interest in aesthetics/cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Her clinical focus is on providing comprehensive care for patients with varying treatment needs and her end goal is always to serve the community and create an environment of healthy and sustainable long-term dental health in a gentle and patient-centred manner.
Meet Dr. Faatina Patu
Hi, my name is Faatina Patu.
I graduated with a bachelor of dental surgery from Otago University in 2021. I then worked as a House Officer at the National hospital of Samoa for a year. I enjoy all aspects of dentistry particularly oral surgery and periodontics.
I am passionate about encouraging children to develop good oral hygiene habits and I am excited to work at Newtown Dental.
I’m fluent in both English and Samoan.
