Meet The Team

Dr Anthony O’Rourke graduated from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom in 2005 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

Following his studies, Dr O’Rourke took a position in the National Health Scheme’s Vocational Training Scheme, which involved working in both emergency clinics and a family-orientated practice. In 2006 he began work at a mixed private practice in Cheshire, UK.

In 2014, Anthony moved to Melbourne to work in one of Australia’s largest private dental clinics. Whilst working there, he focused his work on digital dentistry to provide fully comprehensive care and the use of CEREC in everyday dentistry. Anthony also co-founded the Clinical advisory board, Clinical governance committee, the new grad mentoring scheme, and jointly ran the continued professional development programme for over 80 clinicians and specialists at that clinic.

Anthony is committed to training and mentoring the next generation of Dentists to excel, both personally and professionally.

In July 2020 Dr O’Rourke decided to operate his practice from Maven Dental Collins Street (Nova Dental at the time).

Anthony offers a wealth of experience and enjoys sharing it with the highly skilled clinicians who also operate their practices from Nova Dental. He thoroughly enjoys being able to offer a fully comprehensive experience to achieve the best possible outcomes available for each of his patients.

Anthony’s special areas of interest and expertise are in the fields of cosmetic dentistry, implant prosthodontics, splint therapy for TMJ and Sleep Apnoea, and the application of digital dentistry and AI into everyday oral health. He is a mentor and opinion leader in these fields.

Anthony also works closely with a broad range of other dental specialists to ensure as many patients as possible receive the best clinical care and service available.

Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of technology in healthcare and continually pursues postgraduate education and has attended multiple further education courses in Australia, Europe and the USA, and is a member of multiple professional organisations across the globe.

Dr O’Rourke completed the Pankey Institute continuum at their Advanced Dental Education Centre in Miami.

Dr Dilhan Rajasingham graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2012 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Following his studies, Dr Rajasingham worked in private practice in rural and metropolitan clinics where he gained comprehensive experience in clinical treatment.

It was early in life when Dr Rajasingham was first attracted to dentistry and orthodontics as he experienced the transformational impact it can have on someone’s health and lifestyle, both aesthetically and functionally, firsthand.

Dr Rajasingham decided to operate his practice from Nova Dental in 2021 and enjoys working with the diverse, creative and skilled clinicians who also operate their businesses from the clinic. He is excited to welcome new patients into the clinic where he can assist them on their journey to ensure a healthy smile for life while getting to know them more personally along the way! 

Dilhan is committed to his personal development and continuously strives to integrate diverse ideas and concepts to give his patients innovative, effective, and well-researched clinical treatment options. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics from the City of London Dental School (2016) and a Master of Business Administration from Monash University (2021). Furthermore, he is currently a member of the ADA Digital Informatics and Digital Health Committee and has advisor roles in clinical and business capacities for healthcare startups.

Dilhan lives an active lifestyle and enjoys playing soccer, basketball and snowboarding in his spare time! He is constantly seeking out new adventures and frequently travels to experience new cultures around the world!

Carlie James began working at Nova Dental in 2000 as a Dental Assistant. She obtained a Certificate III in Dental Assisting, Certificate IV in Radiography & Certificate IV in Oral Health Promotions. It was through these studies that she discovered her passion for preventative health and was inspired to complete an Advanced Diploma in Oral Health at RMIT and qualified in 2010.

Throughout her career, she has been particularly interested in the treatment of periodontal disease with a strong focus on prevention. Carlie is a member of the Dental Hygienist Association of Australia and is constantly building on her dental knowledge to ensure she keeps up to date with the ever-changing and developing world of dental hygiene. In her role as a dental hygienist, Carlie aims for the highest standards and prides herself on gentle and efficient treatment for her patients.

Carlie believes that the most fulfilling part of her job comes from providing patients with a valuable healthcare service while establishing trusting relationships at the same time. She enjoys being able to work with patients to help them reach an optimal level of oral health tailored to their own needs and values – all within a trusted and comfortable environment.

Outside of her practice, Carlie enjoys spending time with her young family and finding places to visit.

Joining the Nova Dental team in 2005 as a trainee dental assistant, Natalie Vlainic’s journey in dentistry has seen her develop into a talented and compassionate oral health therapist. After joining the Nova Dental team, Natalie completed a Certificate III in dental assisting at RMIT University in Melbourne. She then continued her studies as an Oral Health Therapist at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 2011 before returning to operating her own practice at the clinic.

Throughout her career, Natalie has developed a passion for making a positive change in patients’ oral care through preventive dentistry, promotion, and education. She also has a keen interest in periodontal disease treatment and maintenance. Natalie places great importance on her relationships with her patients and strives to provide a comfortable experience for everyone that visits Nova Dental. Developing as a professional is important to Natalie and she is committed to constantly learning to further her knowledge and skills to benefit her patients.

When not enjoying her time with her second family (the Nova Dental team and the other clinicians at the clinic), you can find Natalie spending quality time with her family and dog ‘Louis’, socialising with friends, or travelling the world.

Liana Jeffs relocated her practice to Nova Dental in 2018 after 12 years in Perth working for a family dental clinic. Liana graduated with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Curtin University (WA) in 2006 before working in private practice. In 2018 she and her family decided to make the move across the country to Melbourne.

Liana is passionate about periodontal disease and helping her patients develop long-term management plans for gum disease. She enjoys taking a practical approach to patient education, ensuring her patients learn about the benefits of preventative care and maintaining optimal oral wellness. She also enjoys creating dazzling smiles with professional teeth whitening treatments.

Liana also loves creating positive dental experiences for all of her patients. She believes a positive experience in the dental chair can change someone’s life, whether that be dental anxiety or boosting confidence in their smile.

When she’s not treating her patients at the clinic, Liana loves spending time with her husband and three children. She also enjoys relaxing in the sun reading and baking delicious treats (tooth-friendly ones of course!).

Farah Saleem has worked in the dental industry in Australia since 2016, before completing her Dental Hygiene from TAFE SA as a decorated achiever. Since then, she has worked as a Dental Hygienist in various clinics.  

As a Hygienist, Farah’s approach is to ensure each patient’s treatment is comprehensive, thanks to her flair for attention to detail. Her bubbly yet gentle approach to treatment helps ensure every patient's dental treatment is a positive experience. She goes the extra mile to understand her patients' needs to best safeguard their oral health into the future.

Farah has a particular interest in:

• the prevention and treatment of gum diseases; and
• helping patients achieve good oral hygiene through healthy behaviours.

Outside of work she enjoys, Farah enjoys cooking, travelling to scenic parts of the world, and spending time with her family.