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Port Macquarie
(02) 6583 3533
Wauchope
(02) 6585 2015
Laurieton
(02) 6559 9276
Taree
(02) 6551 1005
Meet the Sundial Dental Team
Our professional, gentle and caring team of dentists, hygienists and support staff are all qualified and trained to provide you with the very best dental care at our Port Macquarie, Laurieton, Taree and Wauchope practices.
Dr Peter Elfar
Founder & Principal Dentist
Dr Huxley Polhman
After graduating from the University of Sydney in 1997, Dr Elfar joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a dentist, where he was stationed in Richmond and Point Cook. Following his service he moved to Armidale, where he worked for two years before moving to the United Kingdom for eight years.
Dr Elfar spent time working as a school dentist on the Isle of Man and in a number of practices in the UK where he also furthered his studies at the University of Bristol.
Dr Elfar has travelled to Switzerland to study implant placement with Straumann, and has attended continuing education courses in the UK, United States and Europe.
Since purchasing Sundial Dental in 2006, Dr Elfar has set about modernising the practices and installing state-of-the-art technology.
Dr Elfar has travelled extensively to gain the expertise from a number of world leaders in dentistry and in many cases was the first Australian dentist to learn innovative techniques and bring them back to the mid north coast.
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In 2011 Dr Elfar was the first Australian Dentist to be trained to treat patients with the LANAP laser gum protocol in California.
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In 2012 Dr Elfar was the first Australian Dentist to complete all the advanced clinical Cerec training in Scottsdale Arizona, having started training in 2009.
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In 2013 Dr Elfar was the first Australian to complete the Implant Masters series in Miami, Florida.
Dr Peter Elfar has also lead the way in general dentistry on the mid north coast, being the first general dental practice on the mid north coast to :
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In 2008, introduce CEREC [same day crowns] technology,
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In 2009, introduce 3D X ray technology,
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In 2011, introduce Lanap Laser protocol and technology,
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In 2012, mill first in-house surgical implant guide,
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In 2013, perform lateral wall sinus lifts to allow for implants.
Dr Peter Elfar is very community minded and supports the local junior and senior soccer, rugby, rugby league teams. He also supports a number of events and fundraisers in the community. Internationally he has volunteered twice to the Dominican Republic to be part of Medical/Dental Missions to help the less privileged.
Outside of dentistry, Dr Elfar enjoys flying, mountain bike riding and spending time with his family.
Bridgitte Paull
Hygienist
BOH (Newcastle)
Originally from Tamworth within the New England region of NSW, Bridgitte graduated from the University of Newcastle on the Central Coast with a Bachelor of Oral Health in 2014. On completion of her degree, Bridgitte relocated to Port Macquarie on the beautiful mid north coast with her partner. Bridgitte has always felt at home in the region, as she has holidays often at Laurieton & also has extended family living in the area.
Bridgitte has always had a keen interest in dentistry, having worked as a dental nurse for 4 years in Tamworth & Gosford areas, before and whilst completing her study. She has had the opportunity to work as a dental nurse for both orthodontic and surgical specialist practices involving use of general anaesthetic. This experience is what originally drew Bridgitte to pursue a career in the dental industry.
Bridgitte aims to provide high quality care to patients whilst offering a caring and friendly dental experience. As a hygienist she enjoys providing a range of preventative and oral hygiene services to patients at all Sundial Dental practices. She has interests in the fields of orthodontics and tooth whitening and enjoys treating young patients, to provide positive dental experiences.
I grew up and gained my early education at Coff’s Harbour, before studying Dentistry at Sydney University.
My grandfather and father were both Dental Technicians, my elder daughter was later to become a Dental Therapist, so it appears Dentistry was preordained.
In mid-1970, still a student, I joined the Navy on a Short Service Commission Scholarship and following Graduation in January 1972 served in various shore establishments, overseas and at sea.
After leaving the Royal Australian Navy in December 1977, I worked as a locum in Quirindi for a short time before accepting an assistant’s position in a Narrabeen practice.
In 1982 I purchased my practice in Laurieton from Dr Peter Clark, and provided dental services to the area until selling the practice last year to Dr Peter Elfar, principal of Sundial Dental.
Dr Peter Clark had also been principle of the original dental practice in Wauchope, from which Sundial Dental grew under Dr Peter Elfar’s Ownership, so it seems the circle has closed and the two practices once again are one.
I am particulary happy to be part of the Sundial Dental team, which provides modern, upto date dentistry to the Camden Haven community. It is also greatly enjoyable working together with such friendly, professional staff and fellow Dentists, and to see the many advances in my profession being practised in such a manner.
I’m sure my predecessor, Dr Peter Clark, would agree.
BDS (Sydney)
Dr Elaine Walker
Dr Walker graduated from Glasgow University in 1993 and then worked in general practice in Scotland for 11 years. Following a holiday to Australia, Dr Walker and her family decided to move to Australia permanently in 2004. Initially contracted to work for Queensland Health in Townsville, Dr Walker spent six months working on Palm Island, as well as providing dental services at the community dental centre.
Dr Walker then moved to Port Macquarie in (YEAR), and has been working at Sundial Dental ever since.
Dr Walker enjoys all aspects of general dental practice and keeping up to date with all the latest technologies offered at the Sundial Dental practices.
Bachelor of Dental Science (Glasgow)
Dr Karin Welsh
Dr Welsh began her career in dentistry as a Dental Officer in the Royal Australian Navy in 1980. Following five years of service, which was influenced by her father and grandfather who had affiliations with the Royal Dutch Marines and Dutch Merchant Navy, Dr Welsh moved to Perth to commence work in private practice.
Dr Welsh then spent two decades working in general practice dentistry in Perth, including a focus on (areas of specialisation/interest).
In 2007, Dr Welsh and her family moved to Port Macquarie for an east coast ‘sea change’, and she began practicing at Sundial Dental.
Dr Welsh particularly enjoys the local lifestyle, walking her dogs on the beach and trying to improve her golf game.
BDS (Adelaide)
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