Your Visit

Introducing Arun
dr arun - happy smiles specialist paediatric dentists

Dr Arun Natarajan, one of Canterbury’s leading Specialist Paediatric Dentists, is passionate about all aspects of paediatric dentistry.

He has developed a niche way to help children and young people realise they can cope with dental anxiety and fears related to dental settings, and has presented widely at a national and international level.

Arun has a particular interest in behaviour management, dental anxiety, dental trauma, surgical extraction of supernumerary (extra) teeth or impacted teeth, children with special needs and providing comprehensive dental care under sedation and general anaesthesia.  

In addition to his work at Happy Smiles, Arun works as a Consultant Paediatric Dentist at the Christchurch Hospital Dental Service and is the current chair for Specialist Paediatric Dentists New Zealand (SPDNZ) and past president for the NZ branch of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD).

Introducing Arun

Dr. Arun Natarajan, one of Canterbury’s leading Specialist Paediatric Dentist, is passionate about all aspects of paediatric dentistry.

He has developed a niche way to help children and young people realize they can cope with dental anxiety and fears related to dental settings, and has presented widely at a national and international level.

In addition to his work at Happy Smiles, Arun works as a Consultant Paediatric Dentist at the Christchurch Hospital Dental Service and is the current chair for Specialist Paediatric Dentists New Zealand (SPDNZ) and past president for the NZ branch of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD).

dr arun - happy smiles specialist paediatric dentists

Arun has published several papers both nationally and internationally, and routinely gives lectures to dentists and school dental therapists. Outside Dentistry, Arun is a proud father to two daughters who keep him very busy outside work, and he enjoys tramping, reading, biking, socializing and food.

Introducing Ruth

ruth lund - happy smiles specialist paediatric dentists

Ruth Lund, Oral Health Therapist at Happy Smiles Dental Care. Ruth graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2019 with a Bachelor of Oral Health and was granted the Jane Chalmers award for excellence in Special Needs Dentistry.

Ruth began her career working with children in the South Australian Dental Service and developed a passion for creating a positive and friendly dental experience.


She is enthusiastic about demystifying dental care for children and creating a fun dental visit. During her time with the South Australian Dental Service she also gained experience working with children on the Autism spectrum and those with special healthcare needs.

You will find Ruth to be friendly, compassionate, gentle and thorough in her approach.

As well as caring for her clients, Ruth loves nature walks, socialising with friends and baking! She is involved in various youth activities and takes great pleasure exploring beautiful New Zealand since moving here in 2022.

Introducing Ruth

Ruth Lund, Oral Health Therapist at Happy Smiles Dental Care. Ruth graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2019 with a Bachelor of Oral Health and was granted the Jane Chalmers award for excellence in Special Needs Dentistry.

Ruth began her career working with children in the South Australian Dental Service and developed a passion for creating a positive and friendly dental experience.

ruth lund - happy smiles specialist paediatric dentists

She is enthusiastic about demystifying dental care for children and creating a fun dental visit. During her time with the South Australian Dental Service she also gained experience working with children on the Autism spectrum and those with special healthcare needs.

You will find Ruth to be friendly, compassionate, gentle and thorough in her approach.

As well as caring for her clients, Ruth loves nature walks, socialising with friends and baking! She is involved in various youth activities and takes great pleasure exploring beautiful New Zealand since moving here in 2022. 

young boy - children's dental specialists

Happy Smiles Dental Care for Kids

Our team has the knowledge and training to positively shape your child’s experience of dental care.

We work on building relationships with our young patients and their whānau before they visit our clinic, using a range of custom-developed tools to help children understand their treatment and put them at ease.

We are experienced in supporting children with a wide range of physical, intellectual and isolated behavioural needs. Please give us a call to speak to our friendly staff to know more about how we could make your child’s dental visit more comfortable as possible.

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Happy Smiles Dental Care for Teens

We offer a full range of dental services for teenagers, from routine care to general and surgical dentistry.

By the time they reach their teens, a significant number of Kiwi kids may have unfortunately developed apprehension around dental visits. Some teenagers having dental anxiety may also hesitate to seek dental care which can result in poor oral health and may lead to expensive and complex dental treatment in the future.

At Happy Smiles Dental Care, we recognise the impact of dental anxiety on oral health and general health. Our approach is unique and tailored to their individual needs. We will work with your child to learn about their unique circumstances, discuss different options and help them know what to expect when they visit us.

Integrated Specialist Care

At Happy Smiles Dental Care, we will work together with a range of different specialists to deliver co-ordinated specialist dental care for your child, including:

  • Orthodontist
  • Endodontist
  • Periodontist
  • Special Care Dentist
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
  • Oral Medicine Specialist
  • Prosthodontist
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Integrated Specialist Care

happy siblings and healthy teeth - children's dental specialists
mum and kids - children's dental specialists

At Happy Smiles, we will work together with a range of different specialists to deliver co-ordinated specialist dental care for your child, including:

  • Orthodontists
  • Endodontists
  • Periodontists
  • Paediatricians
  • ENT Surgeons

Integrated Specialist Care

At Happy Smiles, we will work together with a range of different specialists to deliver co-ordinated specialist dental care for your child, including:

  • Orthodontists
  • Endodontists
  • Periodontists
  • Paediatricians
  • ENT Surgeons
mum and kids - children's dental specialists

Latest News

Publications

Read related publications on Paediatric Dentistry in NZ and more.

What are Chalky Teeth?

The Chalky Teeth Problem from a Paediatric Perspective

Videos

Videos on Paediatric Dentistry in NZ.

Chalky Teeth
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