About Me
I graduated from the Otago Faculty of Dentistry in 1997. Like many new grads, I had a rough plan—but in reality, I was on autopilot. I worked in both New Zealand and the UK, progressing through the usual life stages: meeting my partner, getting married, buying a home, and raising children. Each step brought new responsibilities—and financial decisions I wasn’t always prepared for.
Eventually, I found myself stuck. I had built up some savings but had no idea what to do with them. So, I did what many people do—I procrastinated. A financial seminar sparked my interest in investing, but rather than gaining clarity, I became overwhelmed. With so much information and no clear direction, it was hard to know where to start. Eventually, I made some correct decisions yet this experience became a turning point. I realised there was a real need for financial guidance that was not only practical but specific to the needs and realities of dental professionals. That insight led me to pursue formal education in financial services and become a qualified financial adviser. I went on to establish The Financial Dentist, a service designed to help other dentists gain clarity and make confident financial decisions.
Credentials
I’m currently in private practice in St Heliers, Auckland, and I continue to enjoy clinical dentistry alongside my work as a financial adviser and insurance broker. I serve as Vice President of the Auckland Dental Association and board member of the New Zealand Institute of Minimal Intervention Dentistry (NZIMID). Furthermore, I am one of the wellbeing champions for the Auckland Region.
My financial journey inspired me to pursue formal training, where I completed the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services and became a Licensed Financial Adviser in 2021. In 2022, I became the first New Zealander to complete the U.S.-based Money Quotient Financial Life Planning training, a values-based approach that focuses on aligning finances with what matters most in life. Recognising how often insurance adds to the confusion around financial planning, I extended my studies in 2024 to include insurance advice, which I now offer through Willowgrove Consulting.
I have shared this work through lectures and webinars for the NZDA conferences and regional groups, including Young Action Dental Group, Canterbury, Waikato-Bay of Plenty, and Auckland Dental Associations.See here for my NZDA News article on Financial Life Planning for Dentists.