Meet The Team

Dr Wijay graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand in 1985. He was privileged to be offered a position as an assistant lecturer by the same University Dental School. After two years as an assistant lecturer, Dr Wijay decided that he preferred clinical practice over pursuing a full-time academic career and joined a general dental clinic in his then hometown, Invercargill, New Zealand.

In 1988 Dr Wijay was offered a position as the Lead Dentist at a private practice in Rosebery, Tasmania. As a young dentist eager to gain extensive clinical experience, Dr Wijay decided to accept the challenge and made the move to Tasmania. At the time, being the only dentist available and serving the entire west coast of Tasmania with no specialist backup, Dr Wijay gained invaluable clinical experience during his time in Rosebery.

In 1991, as a young dentist eager to settle down and start a family Dr Wijay decided to make a move from the isolated town of Rosebery and established his very own practice in Hobart – Channel Dental Care. Dr Wijay commenced clinical practice in Kingston, Huonville, and worked as a visiting clinician at Tasmanian Government dental services including Supervising School Dental Therapists across Southern Tasmania.

Dr Wijay established Channel Dental Care as a sole dental practitioner with a single dental chair. Within a very short period, the practice flourished due to Dr Wijay’s high values and philosophy of delivering the best dental care to patients Kingsborough and Huon areas. Dr Wijay was the first dentist in the Kingsborough and Huon area to affiliate with health funds such as Medibank Private and BUPA making high-quality dental treatment more affordable for young establishing families in the region.

Dr Wijay has a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry with a focus on crown and bridge work, periodontology and general oral surgery. He is proud to say that he is the longest-serving dentist in the Kingborough and Huon area and has no plans of slowing down just yet.

Dr Wijay is married with two children Joshua and Cathy who are the “apples of his eyes”.

Dr Wilma Johnson has operated her practice at Channel Dental Care team since 1999. Dr Johnson is an experienced dentist that loves building lasting relationships with her patients to help them achieve their ideal smile.

Wilma graduated from the University of Otago in 1982 with a Bachelor of Dental Science. After graduating Wilma spent the early years of her career in general practice clinics. She has also previously worked as an Aboriginal Health Flying Dentist providing dental care to remote indigenous areas across the state. Wilma has experience working in a Special Care clinic and in mobile dentistry.

Even as an experienced dentist Dr Johnson knows the value of learning. She is constantly seeking opportunities to further her skills and knowledge in the industry at conferences and courses.

Away from her practice Wilma enjoys sailing in the beautiful Tasmanian waterways and relaxing listening to music.

Dr Ester Cheang is a talented young dentist with a love for paediatric dentistry, aesthetic dentistry, and Prosthodontics. Ester believes in getting to know her patients as individuals to better work alongside them to achieve better oral health outcomes.

Dr Cheang fell in love with Tasmania whilst on placement in Hobart. She graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) in 2016 and moved to Launceston to practice.

Ester’s passion for prosthodontics has her seeking every opportunity to learn more about the field. She plans to enrol in King’s College, London’s MClinDent (restorative dentistry) course in the future. Ester also relishes every chance to learn from her peers and is constantly looking for new courses or conferences to attend.

Away from dentistry Ester enjoys hot yoga and is a coffee connoisseur.

Dr Rachel Hill loves helping others and ensuring her patients feel comfortable and relaxed in the practice. Dr Hill grew up on a farm in rural western Queensland where she helped her parents run their mechanic business from a young age.

Dr Hill completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery at James Cook University and has practiced in Cairns, Proserpine, Hobart, Maroochydore and now Kingston. Rachel is fully embracing the Tasmanian lifestyle and is in love with the weather, scenery and people in Hobart.

Rachel is passionate about restorative dentistry and creating beautiful smiles with her patients. She has experience treating patients of all ages but loves helping kids learn about good oral health. She is constantly seeking opportunities, whether that be through courses, conferences or even from her fellow dentists at Channel Dental Care.

In her spare time you can Rachel find exploring the local wilderness, hiking and camping or searching Hobart for the best cup coffee!

Originally from Singapore, Russell came to Australia for his studies, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from The University of Adelaide (2023).

With a passion for the great outdoors, an active lifestyle, and experimenting in the kitchen, he decided to practice dentistry in Tasmania. Dr Russell’s clinical interests include minor oral surgery, getting people out of pain, cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics.

When asked what he enjoys about his job, he responded, “(Dentistry) is a great blend of both art and science, allowing us to mimic nature's form. To provide work that lasts, functions, and is pragmatic.”

In short, being a dentist means Dr Russel is in the best possible position to help restore a patient's self-image and confidence. He’s driven to help others get back to the good things in life: eating, smiling, and going out!

Outside of work, Dr Russell enjoys experimenting in the kitchen with various cuisines. He’s also an avid hiker and loves snow sports.