Jenny Kirkland

Dentist

Jenny is owner and co-director of Rapid Response Dental founded in 2013.  A graduate of the University of Otago, Jenny has worked as a general dentist in various private practices in the north island of New Zealand as well as England, Northern Ireland and Australia.  During these travel stints, Jenny worked in a variety of clinical settings and soon realized that the dental industry differed a great deal from practice to practice.  Along the way, Jenny gleaned wide-ranging ideas of what constituted ‘best practice’ both within the clinic and the wider business models that she later morphed and incorporated into Rapid Response Dental.

These days, Jenny divides her time between the clinic and the administration of the company.  In the clinic, Jenny enjoys catching up with her loyal patients.  Jenny particularly enjoys treatment planning complex cases and undertaking implant and crown work.  Out of the clinic, Jenny helps oversee the running of the business and staff, alongside practice managers Lynley Christie and Josy Goggin. 

The recent move to new premises located in 277 Broadway Avenue meant the two former branches of Rapid Response Dental could be incorporated under one roof.  This relocation facilitated management of the business and provided Jenny with an invaluable lesson about the world of local council, bylaws and tradespeople.  The next 18-months are scheduled to see the final fit out completed allowing for extra clinic room.   Watch this space!  

When Jenny is not at work, she is happy living on a lifestyle block in Ashhurst with her husband, two children and a variety of animals.  Although spare moments are rare, Jenny enjoys simple pleasures such as classical music, gardening and the occasional glass of wine.   

Jason Cliff

Dentist

Jason is a senior dentist at Rapid Response Dental.  Jason moved to Palmerston North in 2011, joining the team at Palmerston North Hospital, as a Dental House Surgeon. After spending two years at the hospital, he worked in private practice in Palmerston North and Wanganui joining Rapid Response Dental in 2013. 

Since completing his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2010, Jason has continued to study. He has completed many courses including Clear Alignment Therapy, root canal treatments, extractions, restoration and appearance techniques.

Jason strives to deliver superior “chairside” service. He takes time to ensure clients are relaxed and informed in all aspects of his service. 

Prior to studying Dentistry, Jason was a teacher of Information Technologies. At the height of his teaching career, he was responsible to upskill teachers in IT across 21 schools. 

In his spare time, Jason enjoys playing table tennis and badminton in the Palmerston North clubs and is a committee member on both. He enjoys snowboarding in the winter season.  Jason, his wife Kate, and daughters Hannah and Emily enjoy the sporting opportunities Palmerston North has to offer. Jason and Kate also enjoy playing card games and board games.

Sonika Puri

Dentist

Sonika graduated from M.R Ambedkar Dental College & Hospital (India) in 2004.  She worked as a general dentist in India for three years before deciding to specialise in orthodontics completing a degree in Masters of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics from A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (India) in 2008. After gaining clinical work experience for five years, Sonika decided she would like to broaden her life experience by living and travelling overseas.  After a lot of planning, Sonika arrived in New Zealand to start work as a general dentist in 2013 and joined Rapid Response Dental in 2017.  Since then, Sonika has embraced her new role in the practice and enjoys everyday dentistry with a particular interest in complex restorative treatment with an emphasis on patient education about the preventive aspects of oral disease. 

Besides dentistry, Sonika enjoys reading and spending time with her niece.  One of the main reasons Sonika came to New Zealand was for the tramping and she aims to walk all the famous tracks around New Zealand.  

Rahul Salian

Dentist

Rahul graduated from the A.B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (India) with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2001.  After gaining experience as a general dentist for five years, Rahul completed a further degree in Masters of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics in 2009 from the A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.  Upon gaining his specialty qualification, Rahul remained at the same teaching institue to work as a Consultant Orthodontist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.   Having practised in India for more than eight years and gaining a lot of clinical experience, Rahul decided to broaden his horizons and moved to New Zealand in 2014.  Rahul joined Rapid Response Dental in 2019 and is now practising general dentistry with a special interest in orthodontics. 

When Rahul is not at work, he is a keen follower of cricket and enjoys outdoor activities such as trekking and also travelling the world.

Jodie Bryant

Dentist

After graduating from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with First Class Honours in 2018, I moved with my partner to Palmerston North to pursue a career as a general dentist. I enjoy a variety of dentistry including white fillings, crowns, dentures, extractions and more recently – dental implant crowns. I often work with patients who are very anxious about visiting the dentist, so I strive to make my patient’s visits as comfortable as possible.

In my room, you’ll find a relaxed environment with great music and a friendly, approachable team. The dentistry style is gentle and delivered with care, skill, and a big focus on aesthetic results. If there is something I can do to make you more comfortable – please let me know.

I’m big on work-life balance and spending time with family and friends. In the winter I stay cosied up indoors reading books, watching movies, or playing games. In the summer you’ll find me chasing the sun at the beach, picnicking, out in the garden, or listening to great music at concerts."

Samuel Snowden

Dentist

I have recently moved to Manawatu from New Plymouth to make Feilding my permanent home. I was delighted to get a position at RRD at the start of 2022. Currently I work across our PN and Dannevirke clinics which is certainly a busy role! Getting to know the Dannevirke community is a very exciting opportunity for us this year. I enjoy all aspects of general dentistry, meeting patients and helping people to achieve their oral health goals. I strive to provide a comfortable dental experience and provide the most practical solution for the patients I treat. 

In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friends, travelling- including quick weekends away, going to the gym, and renovating my new house into a home.

Rachelle Sievers

Dental Hygienist

Rachelle joined the NZ Army at 17 years of age as a Dental Assistant. After many years in this role, Rachelle decided to further her career in the dental field, graduating at the University of Otago as a Dental Hygienist in 2004.

Since then, Rachelle has worked within New Zealand and Australia as a Dental Hygienist.  Rachelle is very passionate about the delivery of hygiene treatment and thinks that it is a vital part of dentistry.  In the clinic, Rachelle works closely with her patients to educate, maintain and improve their oral health.  Rachelle is a firm believer that visiting an hygienist regularly is as much about prevention of oral disease as it is about treatment.   She is always motivated by the improvements in her patients’ oral health at recall appointments and finds it extremely satisfying to obtain positive results for her patients.  In particular, Rachelle enjoys the treatment challenge of managing complex periodontal cases.

Outside of work, Rachelle loves spending time with family, friends and running around the squash court or exploring the outdoors.

Gery Zhang

Oral Health Therapist

Gery graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Oral Health in 2018. After she graduated, she worked in both community dental service at District Health Board and private dental practices.  

Originally Gery is from mainland China and grew up there. She came to New Zealand in 2014 for high school in Dunedin and decided to stay in New Zealand and call here her second home. Gery has worked in different cities and towns in New Zealand since she graduated and moved to Palmerston north to end her long-distance relationship with her partner in 2020. Gery first joined Rapid Response Dental in 2021 for a part-time position and enjoyed working in such a professional and people-focused environment, she then worked as a full-time oral health therapist here who treats adolescents for their free dental check-ups and fillings and provides dental hygiene appointments for all age groups.  

At work, Gery treats patients who have, or have had, gum diseases. She assesses them in order to see how she can help them with their oral hygiene, and then treat them throughout that course – seeing them regularly until they’re healthy. Seeing good results is something Gery really enjoys. When patients come in with lots of inflammation, bleeding and infection on their gums. Getting them healthy – motivating them to improve their home care, getting them invested in their treatment and managing their own oral health, and then seeing the results – that’s truly rewarding for Gery. She gets genuine happiness from seeing that huge improvement and being able to make that positive change in people’s smiles and meeting these patients every day.  

Outside of work, Gery loves playing board games she has a shelf full of board games at home and her collections keep expanding.  

Lynley Christie

Practice Manager

Lynley started as a dental assistant, in Pahiatua, straight out of high school almost 30 years ago. After a year off, Lynley resumed working in the industry as an assistant and receptionist particularly enjoying assisting with extractions and oral surgery. She completed her training and gained her NZDA qualification.  After working locally for 12 years with Robert Joe, the practice was sold to Rapid Response Dental and her role changed to Practice Manager. Lynley has enjoyed this change and the challenge of helping to manage the Rapid Response Dental team along with her sidekick Josy.

In her spare time, Lynley enjoys travelling and is looking forward to exploring more of Europe in the future with her husband.

Josy Goggin

Office/Accounts Manager

Josy joined the Rapid Response team in 2017, at the time juggling dental assisting, along with being a healthcare assistant, studying health sciences and also being a mum.  After a busy year she decided to make life slightly simpler and became a full time dental assistant, whilst gaining her NZDA qualification. In 2018 the opportunity arose to become the Practice Manager for the Square premises, she chose to take this on and hasn’t looked back. Now at the new premises, working alongside Lynley, she enjoys her role and being part of a professional, yet fun team, with a great work atmosphere.

Out of work Josy is mum to two children, weekends are spent working on their lifestyle block, taking their husky, Freyja, for walks, and trying to relax where possible.

Tegan Weir

Administrator

Sarah Foster

Reception/Dental Assistant - Dannevirke

Alexis McKenzie

Dental Assistant