Dentists

Dr Julian Leigh

Our principal dentist, Dr Julian Leigh is an experienced practitioner and an accomplished leader. Dentistry is a tradition in his family (he’s a fourth-generation dentist!) but changing people’s lives for the better was what ultimately attracted Dr Leigh to his profession. Recognising that each patient is unique, he cites the variety of people’s needs as one of the most fascinating parts of his job.

Dr Leigh has a special interest in oral surgery, wisdom teeth, dental implants and complex treatment needs. He is committed to continued learning and keeps up with the latest dental developments, techniques and technology. He is a member of the Australian Dental Association and the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry.

Dr Leigh has always stressed the importance of preventive care, noting that, “We can certainly help you, but your future dental needs depend heavily on your own efforts at home.” As a result, our clinic has a strong focus on helping you understand the best ways to care for your teeth and gums at home and lower your risk of needing more intensive dental care later on.

“Dentist” isn’t the only title on Dr Leigh’s CV - he’s also a farmer and auxiliary firefighter. For fun, he enjoys trail bike riding and restoring old cars.

Dr Ben Schottlander

Dr Ben Schottlander had an early interest in dentistry after he was inspired by his own dentist growing up. Since Dr Schottlander always enjoyed working with his hands, a career in dentistry seemed like a perfect fit. After earning his Bachelor of Dental Surgery at Otago University, he began a career built on a wide range of experience.

Dr Schottlander is especially interested in digital dentistry, ceramics like crowns and bridges, and implant dentistry. He is a major advocate for continued learning, so he regularly keeps up with the latest in dental technology, which he believes is one of the best ways to continue improving our standard of care. He is a member of the Australian Dental Association and the International Team for Implantology.

Even when he’s not in our clinic, Dr Schottlander has a passion for helping people – he works for the Queensland Fire Service as a part-time Auxillary Urban Firefighter. He also likes to go camping and four-wheel driving.

Dr Karen Gibson

Dr Karen Gibson acquired her Bachelor of Dentistry from Dundee, Scotland in 1999, and a postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Training from Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2011. Dr Karen is interested in all aspects of general dentistry, particularly preventative care and cosmetic treatments, which can make a significant difference to a patient’s smile and wellbeing.

Dr Karen believes dentistry is an important aspect of healthcare and wants to make a difference by helping patients to keep their teeth healthier for longer. Dr Karen has a calm and gentle manner which helps ensure all her patients have a positive dental experience. Advances in materials over the last 25 years mean silver amalgam fillings and metal crowns are no longer necessary. This allows the use of tooth-coloured restorative materials to provide natural-looking restorations and to replace missing teeth.

Dr Karen loves running and has two very active children. As a family, they love discovering what the Sunshine Coast has to offer; however, her favourite activity is taking her stand-up paddleboard out at Cotton Tree. Dr Karen recommends regular check-ups as they are important for the health of your teeth and gums.

Prosthetist

• David Lough