“Good teeth are essential for a healthy long life, and to smile and enjoy all the good times. My philosophy is to empower people to look after their long term holistic wellbeing, and to provide top notch dental care to help my patients achieve their goals. My favourite part of my job is getting to meet people from all walks of life, and sharing stories with each other.”

Dr Jacob graduated from Melbourne University, and has worked in both public and private practices in Melbourne and Castlemaine. Together with his wife Dr Rachel Chang, Jacob was attracted to the natural beauty and community spirit of Gisborne, and founded Gisborne Family Dental in 2017. Jacob has undergone further education in the field of orthodontics, is an accredited Invisalign provider, and continues to undergo a wide range of professional development. Jacob also has special interest in cosmetic dentistry and is proficient with minor oral surgery.

On a work day, you may find Jacob rehearsing dad jokes, picking up a coffee from a local cafe, gawking at a classic car on the sidewalk of Gisborne, or all of the above. When not at work, he enjoys sampling Melbourne’s best restaurants with his wife, pretending to be a dinosaur chasing his children around the house, and hitting a few tennis balls.

“I love that my job gives me the ability to change someone’s life – whether it be giving a child a very enjoyable first dental visit, setting them up for a very positive dental journey, or giving someone the confidence to smile widely, proudly and without pain! Having known some of my patients for over a decade, it’s been a privilege to have them entrust me with their dental care and I’ve seen the difference good dental health and a beautiful smile has made in their lives. I really enjoy the human side of my work, getting to know the individuals and families I look after, and tailoring my approach to suit them.”

Dr Rachel graduated from Melbourne University with Honours, and has since committed herself to further her knowledge and skills, particularly in the area of Orthodontics (Braces & Invisalign.) She worked for many years in private practice in Ballarat and metropolitan Melbourne, before founding Gisborne Family Dental with her husband Jacob. With three young children of her own, she has a particular interest in treating children where her petite hands, patience and gentle (but firm!) demeanour come in very handy.

When not at work, Rachel is more or less a professional taxi driver, mediator and snack provider to her kids- thus is the life of a mum! Born in Wollongong, NSW, but raised in Melbourne, she loves her coffee and would list her ultimate treat as a skim latte and being able to drink it while it’s still hot 🙂

“To me, modern dentistry is about achieving the best outcome for patients with the most up-to-date treatment, ensuring a comfortable experience the whole time. My favourite thing about my job is being able to transform a patient’s previously negative experience into a rewarding one they want to share with their loved ones. As I continue to work with patients, making sure they feel heard and comfortable, I can see their confidence grow. Ultimately, I want patients to feel safe and empowered on their dental journey and confident I will be there to help along the way.”

Nardin grew up in Melbourne before moving to Bendigo for her studies. Since then, she has spent most of her time exploring regional Victoria, working in both the public and private sector. She enjoys all facets of dentistry, from routine examinations to complex extractions and everything in between. With her gentle nature, she enjoys working with anxious patients and taking the time to work through all questions, no matter how big or small! Nardin regularly attends continuing professional development to ensure she is consistently delivering excellent dental care. Outside of Dentistry, Nardin can often be found spending time with her very large, very loud family – usually for a very large meal. She also loves exploring regional Victoria and is always looking for getaway recommendations!

“I understand how visiting the dentist can be daunting for some people, so I strive to provide all my patients with a relaxed and comfortable experience.
The best parts of my job are that I have the opportunity to help people solve problems with their oral health, improve their comfort levels and self-esteem. At the end of the day, a happy patient is what makes me happy. This to me is one of the best privileges of practising dentistry.”

Kevin grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and completed his Bachelor of Biomedicine and Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Melbourne. He has experience in treating patients in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. He is committed to providing gentle and quality dental care for all his patients, and makes it a top priority to ensure each patient’s individual needs are looked after. Kevin enjoys practising all aspects of dentistry but is particularly interested in restorative dentistry and oral surgery.

Outside of work, Kevin is a classical musician, loves exploring and making good food and coffee, and is an avid fan of The Office.

“It is so rewarding for me to help empower my patients during their dental journey, whether it be dealing with a first-time wobbly tooth, creating a confident smile or overcoming some fears together. To see the positive effects of good dental health and to get to know my patients and their families is something I really enjoy! It is very important to me that my patients feel at ease and that we approach their dental care together, making choices that suit their individual needs.”

Megan graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Dental Surgery and has worked in both public and private dental clinics across Victoria before joining Gisborne Family Dental. She has a gentle and empathetic approach to dental treatment and is particularly passionate about treating patients who are dentally anxious, always ensuring they feel comfortable during their appointments. Megan also has an interest in paediatric dentistry and endeavours to make dental visits engaging and enjoyable for children.

Outside of dentistry, Megan is a big foodie and a bit of a coffee snob. She loves cooking for friends and family, and is always searching for a great new restaurant to try. Megan also enjoys camping and travelling to experience new places.

“I believe Dentistry is simply to help people use their teeth. As a Dentist I have the privilege to help people do exactly that – to smile and to eat. Who doesn’t like to enjoy good food!

I love to work with my hands and enjoy both the art and science that comes in Dentistry.”

Dr Jack Cheng graduated from La Trobe University in Bendigo with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dentistry and Masters of Dentistry. Jack is committed to treatment that is ethical, high quality and thorough. Prior to working at Gisborne Family Dental, Jack has gathered a broad range of experience through his time working in various parts of regional Victoria, most recently Albury-Wodonga.

With his friendly and gentle nature, Jack aims for his patients to be well informed and wants them to know that they can trust him. He is experienced seeing patients of all ages and enjoys all aspects of Dentistry with particular interests in restorative dentistry and oral surgery.

On his days off, Jack can be found eating his way through Melbourne, going for a run or swim, and spending time with his soon-to-be wife. On weekends, he is also an active member at his church. Jack is looking forward to welcoming you to Gisborne Family Dental.

‘I genuinely believe that it is never too late to start your journey to good oral health. I enjoy working with my patients to achieve a smile that they can be proud of. My focus is on reducing dental anxiety and building confidence by equipping patients with the knowledge on how to look after their teeth and gums.’

Cathleen completed her Bachelor of Biomedicine and Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Melbourne. She has worked in various metropolitan and regional clinics in Victoria and is committed to providing high quality care to all patients as if they were her own family. Cathleen aims to treat existing dental issues in a non-judgemental environment and to educate patients on how to prevent them from reoccurring in the future.

In her spare time, Cathleen enjoys watercolour painting, baking and seeing live music performances.

“Gisborne is such a beautiful community and it’s a pleasure caring for patients of all ages – from the young to the young at heart! My goal is to alleviate the stress and anxiety that often comes with attending the dentist. There is nothing more fulfilling than when patients leave feeling relaxed and empowered, with a big smile on their face.”

Dr Emma Chang graduated from La Trobe University in Bendigo with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dentistry and Masters in Dentistry.

She spent a number of years working in Albury Wodonga in private practice gaining broad experience in general dentistry. Since then, Dr Emma has done further education in Orthodontics and has a special interest in early intervention orthodontic treatment. She is excited to have returned closer to her hometown Melbourne to be part of the team at Gisborne Family Dental, joining her sister Dr Rachel and brother in law Dr Jacob.

Known for her caring and gentle nature, Dr Emma finds it particularly rewarding to work with children and nervous patients. She enjoys spending time getting to know her patients and easing any anxiety through easy to understand treatment plans suited to each individual. Dr Emma believes in equipping patients with knowledge and being proactive with prevention so the least amount of dentistry is needed in the years to come!

Outside of dentistry, Dr Emma is a true “homebody” and loves relaxing evenings with her husband Simon and furbaby Billy alongside some delicious takeaway Indian food.