Meet the Teams at Our Locations

Dr Nathalia Garritano, BDentSc, PG Dip Clin Dent (ARD)

Principal Dentist / Owner

As a general and aesthetic dentist, Dr Nathalia Garritano is deeply committed to providing exceptional care to her patients, and she takes great pride in co-founding SmilesHQ with Dr Amy Calvin.

Growing up in a family of dentists, Nathalia was inspired by her father's dedication to his profession and patients, which led her to pursue a career in dentistry. She earned her degree from the Federal University of Rio De Janeiro, and later served in the Brazilian Navy before moving to Australia, where she has been practising dentistry ever since.

Nathalia's passion for dentistry and dedication to her patients are reflected in her long-standing practice in the Newcastle area. She takes pride in providing dental care to entire families and watching them achieve optimal dental health through her guidance. She believes in working collaboratively with her patients to develop personalised treatment plans that meet their individual needs and expectations.

While Dr Garritano enjoys all aspects of dentistry, she has a particular interest in smile makeovers, full mouth rehabilitation, clear aligner therapy, and implant therapy. To provide the best possible care to her patients, she is committed to continuously improving her knowledge and skills by staying up-to-date with the latest research, technologies and proven techniques.

Outside of dentistry, Nathalia enjoys reading and learning, as well ...

Dr Amy Calvin, BClinSc., BDentSc, PG Dip Clin Dent (ARD)

Principal Dentist / Owner

Dr Amy Calvin is a general and aesthetic dentist. She is business owner with partner Dr Nathalia Garritano and general team motivator / hype-girl!

When Amy was younger, she was terrified of the dentist. In fact, she only attended one dental appointment before a bicycling accident required her to get her front tooth fixed. Her local dentist repaired her tooth on Christmas Eve, and to her surprise, she survived the appointment! From then on, she thought dentistry was a fascinating and exciting career. It allowed her work with her hands, meet and connect with new people and help others with science-based care. 

Because of her former fear of dentists and needles, Dr Calvin truly understands how important it is to help ease and comfort anxious patients. She has built SmilesHQ to help alleviate some of that stress for her patients.

Since 2012, Dr Calvin has been working in dentistry. She started as a dental assistant and spent her spare time voluntarily assisting a local specialist to gain additional training. Dr Calvin earned her two degrees at Charles Sturt University in Orange, NSW. After graduating, she worked within the community and opened SmilesHQ with her business partner Dr Nathalia Garritano in 2023. 

“The most rewarding thing to me is ...

Dr Navidh Ekanayake, DMD, BSc

Dentist

Dr Nav brings a calm, approachable presence to SmilesHQ, helping patients feel truly at ease from the moment they walk through the door. Originally trained at The University of Sydney, he completed two years of clinical training before entering private practice. Now calling Newcastle home, Dr Nav is excited to be joining the team at SmilesHQ.

For Dr Nav, dentistry is the perfect blend of science, artistry and human connection. He’s passionate about transforming smiles and helping patients gain confidence through a gentle and supportive approach. 

Outside of the clinic, you’ll find him playing volleyball, skateboarding or enjoying a walk on the beach to unwind after a busy day. One of his most meaningful hobbies is cooking traditional Sri Lankan food—a way he connects with his culture and shares his heritage with friends and family. Dr Nav is also fluent in the Sri Lankan language Sinhala, something he is proud to offer to patients in our community who feel more comfortable communicating in their native language.

A fun fact about Dr Navis that he’s working on memorising Eminem lyrics and claims he can rap just as fast (almost!).

Dr Navidh is thrilled to bring his skills and passion to SmilesHQ and looks forward to making a difference in ...

Dr Asif Khan, BDS

General Dentist

With over 20 years of experience in general dentistry, Dr. Asif Khan is a highly skilled and compassionate professional dedicated to delivering exceptional care to every patient at SmilesHQ. We are privileged to have Dr. Asif as part of our team, offering expert treatment in tooth extractions and dental implants.

Dr. Asif’s top priority is creating a safe and comfortable environment where patients feel at ease during their visits. He is highly experienced in performing procedures under local anesthesia, relative sedation, or general anesthesia at our local hospitals, tailoring each approach to meet individual patient needs.

Renowned for his precision and expertise, Dr. Asif ensures that even complex extractions are carried out with the utmost care and efficiency. His passion for providing a calm and reassuring experience makes him an invaluable asset to our practice and a trusted partner in your dental health journey.

Dr Rob Regan, BDS (Bristol, UK)

General Dentist

With over 27 years of experience in full-time general dentistry, Dr Rob Regan brings a calm, patient-focused approach to SmilesHQ. He has served the Newcastle area for more than 13 years and has developed a strong connection with the community and its unique dental needs.

Dr Regan graduated from Bristol University in the UK and has always had a passion for hands-on work—his love for science and craftsmanship led him naturally into the field of dentistry. Known for his warm manner and reassuring presence, Dr Regan takes pride in helping patients feel comfortable and confident in the dental chair. Many have shared that his care has helped them overcome dental anxiety and rebuild trust in their oral health journey.

Outside the clinic, Rob is a lifelong tinkerer with a passion for cars, off-roading and all things BBQ. He and his wife even run a Facebook page dedicated to smoking meats and outdoor cooking. A fun fact about Rob is that he used to DJ in Bristol back in the '90s.

Ashlee

Oral Health Therapist

Ashlee is an experienced oral health therapist who has been working at SmilesHQ since its inception. She received her education and training at The University of Newcastle. With over 10 years of experience in dentistry, Ashlee is passionate about providing preventative and therapeutic care to patients alongside Dr Amy and Dr Nathalia.

Ashlee is dedicated to making patients feel comfortable and at ease during their dental visits. She takes pride in improving patients' dental care, no matter how big or small the task may be. She understands that the dental clinic can be daunting for some individuals, and she strives to create a friendly and welcoming environment.

Outside of her profession, Ashlee has a deep love for books and is an avid reader. She also enjoys indulging in true crime podcasts, feeding her fascination with the subject. One of her unique hobbies is diving into online rabbit holes and delving deep into various topics that interest her. Friends often joke that she would have made an excellent private investigator due to her uncanny ability to find almost anything. Despite her confident and composed demeanour, there is a hidden fear within Ashlee—she is absolutely terrified of balloons! 

Ashlee's dedication to patient care, passion for dentistry, and ability to create ...

Mariah

Practice Manager

Mariah is our warm-hearted and professional Practice Manager with over 14 years experience in the dental industry. Since obtaining her Certificate III in Dental Assisting in 2011, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of both clinical workflows and operational management, making her an integral part of the leadership team at SmilesHQ.

In her role, Mariah oversees the daily operations of the practice, ensuring efficiency across all areas — from patient flow and appointment scheduling to compliance, administrative processes, and team coordination. She is committed to maintaining high standards in both patient care and service delivery while fostering a supportive, collaborative team culture.

With a strong focus on operational excellence, Mariah empowers her team to perform at their best and ensures the practice runs smoothly, allowing our clinicians to focus on providing care. Her approachable leadership style, attention to detail, and patient-first mindset make her a trusted and valued member of the SmilesHQ family.

When she isn’t at work, Mariah is busy with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time outdoors, heading off on camping trips, fishing adventures, and keeping active playing indoor netball.