Our Story
Our story reflects our commitment to providing exceptional specialist care to people living in Illawarra.
Starting with an idea, founders Dr. Arun Thangavel and Dr. Kamal Ahmed shared a vision: to re-imagine what the dental experience can be and create a new standard for patient care.
We’re inspired by our mission to reimagine what the dental experience can be, allowing us to proudly set a new standard in inpatient care.
Our patients choose us because of how we make them feel. It’s why we’re committed to delivering our specialist care in a modern, friendly, and upbeat environment; one that you feel comfortable visiting and happy to recommend to the people you value most.
Every detail of our practice has been carefully considered for the way it contributes to your experience with us. Advanced technology and the latest techniques are a given. So too is the kind of personalised care you’d expect from people you know.
- When you visit us, you actually see your treating specialist. Your treatment is managed every step of the way.
- Our team is friendly and welcoming. We’re happy to say our patients tell us they enjoy their appointments.
- The latest technology really does make a difference. You can expect better care and faster treatment.
We’re here for you if you’re ready to experience a reimagined dental experience with the South Coast Smiles specialists.
Apart from outstanding care, it’s the personalities and people who make South Coast Smiles special.
The association Dr. Arun and Dr. Kamal have with Wollongong are long-standing.
Having grown up here and only traveled to complete dental and prosthodontic studies, Dr. Arun is a Wollongong local. Dr. Kamal, regarded by many patients as a big kid (yes, they think he’s one of them), shares a similar history. Both are now raising their families in the region.
Having worked together for many years and developed enduring relationships with their patient community in Wollongong, Arun and Kamal are delighted to be delivering a unique experience for people under the South Coast Smiles brand.
A big driver for establishing South Coast Smiles was to make world-leading specialist care accessible to local Illawarra people. Bringing different specialists together under one roof makes the journey as smooth as possible in achieving the best possible outcome.
Led by specialists Dr. Arun Thangavel and Dr. Kamal Ahmed, the South Coast Smiles team enjoys a strong working relationship that has been forged over many years.
Each individual is appreciated and valued for their contribution to making South Coast Smiles a place that patients love visiting. Together, the team shares an enduring commitment to our values.
South Coast Smiles is a multidisciplinary specialist dental practice. With a team consisting of a prosthodontist, orthodontist, an endodontist, along with our experienced and friendly staff, we offer a range of dental treatments in our practice. What this means is, you have unprecedented access to a range of specialists, bringing their own artistic vision and expertise to your care all under one roof.
What truly makes us different is our passion to deliver the very best in dentistry and ensure the journey is better than anything you’ve experienced before. Everything and everyone you encounter in our care embody our aesthetic and artistic vision. We are redefining the dental experience and setting a new standard for patient care.
South Coast Smiles’ Australian/NZ trained specialists are experts in their respective areas of practice. They have completed an additional 3 years of master’s training in their area of specialty on top of completing a five-year dentistry degree.
Although prosthodontists, orthodontists, and general dentists share many similarities – they both work hard to help improve your overall oral health – specialisation is what sets them apart from a dentist. Dental specialists are trained at managing the full scope of conditions (from simple to complex) and bring to patients the vast experience gained from doing this day today. We work together with our dentist colleagues to ensure all our patients have the best outcome, a reflection of our true commitment to our “do it once, do it right” approach.
It is important to determine that your dental specialist is in fact registered as a specialist from the dental board of Australia as distinct from a general dentist with a special interest in a particular field.
We’ve brought the highest standards of dental care with a personalised touch to the Illawarra region and we’re proud of it. We continue to develop our technical expertise through ongoing professional development. Our commitment to the profession is evident in the education and training of university dental students and our referring dentists.
We’re committed to providing the very best in care to our patients, that’s why we work collaboratively with our network of dentists to ensure the best results for you. We treat our patients like family and want to ensure you enjoy every visit on your treatment journey.
Many people come to us needing support to fix treatments that haven’t gone well. We’re dedicated to precision in care and live and work by a ‘do it right, do it once’ philosophy. This means careful attention to the details at every step of the treatment journey.
It’s true, the destination is important, but our approach to specialist care is about making the process smooth and comfortable too. From start to finish on your treatment journey, you’ll experience careful planning, expert care, and exceptional outcomes.
We’re proud to say that our team embodies our vision of patient care and you will always be greeted by a smiling face. We share a vision that’s simple: treat our patients how we’d like to be treated. For us, this means you can come in, feel relaxed, and have a chat about the smile you’d love to have.
It’s all part of our no-surprises philosophy that delivers bespoke patient care for the duration of the treatment journey.
When you visit South Coast Smiles, you will see your treating specialist. That means if you’re receiving orthodontic treatment, your appointment will be with Dr. Ahmed; if you’re receiving prosthodontic treatment, Dr. Thangavel will take care of you – each and every visit.
If you’re receiving treatment from a specialist, it’s important that every step of the way you receive the treatment you deserve. In fact, we think it’s the best way to ensure the best outcome is achieved in the shortest possible time.
Dr. Ahmed is pleased to offer a complimentary initial consultation to patients who are investigating their options. It’s a great way to get to know us and decide if working together with us for your treatment is right for you.
At this appointment, we’ll undertake an initial assessment. We’ll also show you around the clinic and talk you through the various procedures involved in your treatment. You can expect to ask any questions regarding your options, knowing that it’s completely obligation-free. Our goal is that you have enough information to make the right decision for you.
Whether you’re after a second opinion or want independent advice, we’re happy to share our experience and knowledge to help you feel comfortable with your decision.
When you visit our practice, you experience the benefit of having multiple specialists under one roof. You can relax knowing we’ll work together to ensure your treatment reflects the very best in care.
South Coast Smiles is an owner-operated practice.
Both Dr. Thangavel and Dr. Ahmed have lived and worked in and around the Illawarra for many years and are pleased to be further strengthening their ties with the community through their unique specialist practice.
As a private practice – rather than a corporate-owned entity – you’ll experience a more personal and friendly environment and the same team every visit for the duration of your treatment. We want you to know we’re here for the journey.
You can learn more about Dr. Thangavel and Dr. Ahmed here.
We’ve attended to every detail in the design and set up of South Coast Smiles, including our treatment rooms, technology, and sterilization systems.
- For maximum privacy and comfort, we have private treatment rooms to ensure the privacy and comfort of all of our patients.
- We have dedicated consultation areas to ensure discussions can take place in a relaxed and comfortable environment rather than lying back in the dental chair
- Among the technology at South Coast Smiles you’ll find full 3D diagnosis made possible through 3D x-rays, intraoral cameras, the latest in wire technology, clear braces, and more.
- Our Sirona autoclaves from Germany are the very best available, ensuring that our sterilization practices meet Australian standards.
We’re committed to evolving our practice in line with advances in technology and look forward to bringing these to our patient community as they become available.
You can learn more about what makes us different by coming in and having a chat with us. Simply call us to book a time, or request a callback, and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours or the next business day.