Meet The Team

Joining the practice in February 2013, Dr. Celso Cardona is the skilled and passionate Lead Dentist at Maven Dental Burwood. Originally from Brazil, Dr. Cardona graduated from UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul) in 2006 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and later, in 2008, obtained his Master's in Pain and Palliative Medicine. In 2023, he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Oral Implants (ACDP).

Dr. Cardona discovered his love for dentistry at a young age, inspired by both his father and brother who are also dentists. After receiving his qualifications, he spent time working alongside them in Brazil until 2008 before moving to Australia the following year. He worked as a clinical educator at Sydney University in 2009 and then went on to work at two other dental surgeries before joining Maven Dental Group.

In his role, Dr. Cardona is passionate about helping his patients achieve a better understanding of dental health and providing them with exceptional dental care. With over 18 years of experience, he has gained extensive knowledge in all aspects of general dentistry, with a keen interest in root canals, full mouth reconstruction, implant surgery, and teeth alignment. Due to his expertise with complex dental cases, he also receives referrals from other dentists.

Dedicated to his professional growth, Dr. Cardona is one of only ten dentists in Australia to have completed the prestigious Kois Center curriculum in Seattle. Furthermore, he is the sole dentist in the country to have completed both the Kois Center curriculum and the curriculum at the esteemed Pankey Institute in Miami.

Away from the practice, Dr. Cardona enjoys meditating, rock climbing, playing video games, surfing, flying small planes, and traveling. He also has a love for yoga, practices daily, and is a qualified yoga teacher.

AHPRA Registered

Dr Kanishko Das has always been passionate about health. After completing his undergraduate degree in Medical Science, majoring in Neuroscience, he went on to complete his Doctor of Dental Medicine in 2016. Upon graduating, he moved to Queensland to kickstart his career, working in a corporate private practice in the Sunshine Coast, while simultaneously serving the rural community in Mt Isa. In 2017, he returned to NSW where he operated as a loved and friendly local dentist in rural Dubbo and regional Illawarra. Recently, Dr Das decided that it was time to move back home, closer to his loved ones, moving his practice to Maven Dental Burwood.

As a practitioner, Dr Das has a systematic, structured and patient-centric approach to treatment planning. He puts his patients’ needs first and works with them every step of the way, ensuring they feel comfortable from the moment they sit on the chair. He also spends time with anxious patients and kids to help them overcome their fears. He is trained in digital dentistry using intra-oral cameras and scanners for diagnosis, planning and treatment. His interests lie in aesthetic and functional restorative dentistry as well as root canal therapy. He has completed the Master Implant Program with the Brener Implant Institute in 2019, Dr Geoff Hall’s Clear Aligner Programme in 2021 as well as a host of other courses and programmes dealing with aesthetic dentistry, dental ceramics, biomaterials, endodontics, exodontia, jaw dysfunction and oral pathology over his working career.

In his free time, he enjoys the company of his loved ones, be it at home or outdoors. He loves to travel, explore, try new foods and go on hikes. He also enjoys cricket, tennis, motorsport, cooking, baking, photography and on the odd occasion, playing bridge.

AHPRA Registered

Suzanne (Suzie) Zerafa was welcomed to the Maven Dental Burwood practice as an experienced Dental Hygienist and Oral Health Therapist. Suzie holds a Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy, Diploma of Dental Therapy and Diploma of Reflexology having attended Westmead Dental in 2004 and Melbourne University in 2005.

Beginning her dental career at the age of 16, Suzie worked as a dental nurse for a number of years. At 21 she left Australia to travel and gain experience working in London, where she discovered her love for dental hygiene. Upon her return to Sydney, she studied dental therapy at the Westmead Hospital and after graduating completed her dental hygienist studies at Melbourne University. She now offers 30 years' experience in the dental industry, 15 of which have been as a dental hygienist/therapist.

Within the practice, Suzie is passionate about developing strong relationships with her patients and loves being able to have a positive impact on their lives in regards to great oral health. While enjoying all aspects of her role, she holds clinical interests in treating periodontal disease, peri-implantitis, diet and nutrition issues of the mouth, sleep disorders and growth guidance issues in children.

Suzie is a member of the Dental Hygienist Association Australia and Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapist Association.

Away from the practice, Suzie loves spending quality time with family and friends and is often kept busy getting her daughter everywhere she needs to be. She also enjoys baking, entertaining, getting outdoors and riding motorbikes (currently doing offroad and motocross). When she finds the time, Suzie also loves taking part in Bikram yoga.

AHPRA Registered

Frohar joined the Maven Burwood team as an Oral Heath Therapist after completing her degree at Charles Sturt University in 2019. While studying, Frohar practiced as a dental nurse to gain more knowledge in the industry. In doing this, Frohar has found that her passion lies within pediatrics’ as she loves working with children to ensure they have an enjoyable experience in the chair. Frohar brings a highly enthusiastic, ‘eager to learn’ attitude to the practice and is dedicated to providing the utmost care to her patients. Frohar also clinically enjoys being apart of the patient journey to create a straight and more beautiful smile and teaching her patients good oral health habits.

When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll find Frohar spending quality time with friends and family and hitting gym.

AHPRA Registered

Harry Zhong is one of your dedicated Oral Health Therapists practising at Maven Dental Burwood. He graduated with a Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of Sydney. 

Harry has a strong clinical interest in preventative dentistry and hygiene. He finds great fulfilment in helping patients maintain optimal oral health and appreciates the gratitude they express for his care. Having once been fearful of dentists himself, Harry is passionate about helping anxious dental patients, alleviating their stress and ensuring they feel comfortable and confident returning for future care.

At Maven Dental Burwood, Harry thrives in a friendly and supportive environment. He enjoys making a positive impact by helping his patients become more comfortable about dental visits, creating a welcoming and reassuring atmosphere.

Outside of the clinic, Harry is an avid video gamer and can often be found playing basketball or soccer. He loves spending time with friends, going to the gym, and challenging himself in the kitchen, aiming to cook meals worthy of Gordon Ramsay's praise.

Clare Cheng is a passionate Oral Health Therapist practising at Maven Dental Burwood. With a Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy from the University of Newcastle, Clare brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to patient care. Having worked in the dental field for over 12 years, Clare’s background as a dental technician and dental assistant has provided a solid foundation for her current practice.
 
Clare is known for her hard-working and approachable nature. She believes that learning and enjoying new skills is a lifelong journey. Clare is actively involved in continued professional development, ensuring that her skills and knowledge remain at the forefront of dental care.
 
Clare is dedicated to ensuring her patients are always comfortable and well-informed during their visits. Her gentle and caring approach is particularly beneficial for anxious patients and children, making her a trusted choice for families. Having a strong passion for promoting preventive dental care, Clare takes great joy in educating patients about good oral habits and effective ways to look after their teeth.
 
Interacting with patients and seeing their happy faces is one of Clare's favourite aspects of her job. She particularly enjoys working with children, helping them to maintain good oral health from an early age.
 
Outside of her professional life, Clare enjoys practising yoga and baking. She also loves spending quality time with her family.

Christy Nakkour is one of your trusted Oral Health Therapists at Maven Dental Burwood. With a Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws from Western Sydney University, Christy brings a unique blend of expertise to her role. She has over a decade of experience in dental practice within both the public and private health sectors, showcasing her adaptability and comprehensive understanding of the field.

Christy is passionate about continuing education, regularly attending dental conferences to stay current with the latest developments. This commitment not only satisfies her travel itch but also ensures that her patients receive the most up-to-date care. Beyond dentistry, Christy expands her knowledge and experience in insurance law, deepening her understanding of the impact laws and regulations have on the dental industry.

Determined to provide the highest quality dental care to her patients, Christy ensures she tailors her treatments each patient’s unique needs. Her clinical interests include paediatric dentistry, modern techniques for managing periodontal disease, and oral health education. Christy’s dedication to these areas underscores her commitment to enhancing patient care and education.

Christy finds great satisfaction in helping patients achieve their oral health goals, no matter how small or ambitious. Being part of a supportive team that assists patients in reaching these goals is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job. Her approach ensures that each patient feels valued and understood throughout their dental journey.

Outside of her professional life, Christy enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, travelling, and engaging in sports as a spectator. These activities provide her with a well-rounded and fulfilling life, balancing her dedication to dentistry with personal interests.

Practice Manager, Lindel Aquino, was welcomed to the caring and compassionate Maven Dental Burwood team in September 2013. Lindel completed her Certificate III in Dental Assisting in 2014 through TAFE New South Wales. Prior to discovering her love for dental, she gained valuable experience working as an airfare and ticketing specialist for a wholesale travel company - holding a Diploma in Travel and Tourism (2004).

Within her roles, Lindel is passionate about working with an amazing team to provide patients with high-quality dental care and treatment. She loves being able to meet new people on a daily basis and enjoys the opportunity to continuously learn new skills and responsibilities.

In her spare time, Lindel enjoys spending quality time with family, going to the beach, heading out with friends and travelling.

Peter Park has joined the team at Maven Dental Burwood as a friendly and passionate dental assistant. Following his dreams of becoming a dentist, Peter is currently studying a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Sydney and is due to graduate in 2025. As a new student, Peter is engrossed in all things teeth! He has yet to discover specific areas of interest in the dental field, however, with experience, he hopes to discover them one at a time!

Peter is passionate about providing the best possible service to his patients as he understands that a trip to the dentist can be nerve-racking. He also loves working alongside such a tight-knit team of individuals who genuinely love their jobs.

Outside of the clinic, Peter spends most of his downtime studying. But, when his nose isn’t buried in a book, you will most certainly find him playing football and basketball. Peter is also quite the homebody, who uses any excuse to try and stay home and relax, and while people might find it very boring, he enjoys having slow-paced, stress-free weekends with a good (one too many) cups of coffee.

Dr. Tiger Yang is a dedicated and accomplished dentist at Maven Dental Burwood, bringing years of experience and a commitment to patient-centred care. A New Zealander of Chinese descent, Dr. Yang moved to New Zealand at age 11 and pursued his studies in Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Sciences (Honours) from the University of Queensland in 2018. He launched his career in New Zealand, working at respected practices, including Browns Road Dental, Hello Dental, and Lumino Auckland Central. After five years of honing his skills, he returned to Australia in 2024 to establish himself in Sydney and join the Maven Dental team.

With a keen interest in oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Yang finds fulfilment in both the challenges and creativity of his work. He enjoys the intellectual stimulation and hands-on nature of oral surgery, where every case brings unique challenges. In cosmetic dentistry, he values the satisfaction that comes from aligning his vision with his patients’ goals, creating results that leave a positive impact. Dr. Yang appreciates the opportunity to work closely with his patients, offering personalised care tailored to their individual needs.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Yang is as passionate about his interests as he is about dentistry. He is an avid mixed martial artist, actively training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities, from hunting and fishing to snowboarding, and relishes weekends spent watching UFC with friends. Travel is another passion, as he values spending time with loved ones and meeting new people, making memories wherever he goes.