Who we are:
Cairns Precision Dental Group began in 1994 and owes its success to the dedication of Dr Maurice Pietrobon and Dr Gary Taifalos who between them have transformed the practice into what it is today. Both graduated from The University of Queensland in Brisbane and have been committed to advancing their knowledge and offering the best dental service to their clients.
Cairns Precision Dental Group moved to its present location on Mulgrave Road, Woree in 2007. Well known Cairns identity Dr Bruce Kidd was also instrumental in the formulation of the practice and retired from the dental surgery in 2008.
Our dentists have a strong commitment to further education, attending courses and keeping up with the latest developments in dentistry and general health issues.
Dr. Maurice Pietrobon is a principal dentist in the practice and has an impressive array of dental experience with 30 years of family and cosmetic dentistry. Maurice has special interest assisting patients to restore ‘worn’ bite (occlusion) with cosmetic veneers, crowns, bridges and implants. He was born and raised in Ingham, completing his dental degree at the University of Queensland in 1979. He worked in London from 1985-1987 before returning to Cairns and joining the practice. Maurice is totally committed to providing total patient care.
Dr.Gary Taifalos is a principal dentist and who has strong commitment to patient’s dental health issues on all areas of dental treatment with a focus on endodontic techniques (root canal therapy), crown and bridgework, and implants. Gary is a local identity, having grown up in Innisfail and returning to Cairns to practice dentistry after completing his studies in Brisbane at the University of Queensland in 1993.
Dr Andy Ratter is a very passionate, gentle dentist who enjoys providing a full range of dental treatments for the whole family. He believes there is nothing better than the patient’s own original teeth and is firmly committed to oral education and preventive care. He has a keen interest in endodontic therapy to preserve natural teeth where possible. Andy originally hailed from Edinburgh and worked in general practice in Liverpool before moving to Cairns in 2003. He is enjoying an exciting future working with Cairns Precision Dental team.
Dr Hasi Thambugala graduated from the University of Otago, New Zealand in 2003 and been residing in Queensland since. Hasi is a very highly skilled dentist in all aspects of general dentistry, with special interests in wisdom teeth surgery, dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. He has a well deserved reputation for dedicated and compassionate patient care.
Dr David Oetjen originally lived and studied in Adelaide at the University of Adelaide. He moved to Cairns to enjoy the warmer climate. He is an enthusiastic young dentist and skilled in all aspects of family dentistry. He is committed to patient care providing the best quality treatment for each individual, helping you to understand the problems that may be occurring in your mouth and how to prevent them in the future. Dentistry these days should be virtually pain free and patients should not settle for less.
Caroline Pym has been an integral part of the promotion of importance of hygiene and therapy at Cairns Precision Dental Group since 2006. She is a very skilled and experienced dental hygienist/therapist and has a large patient base who can testify to her dedication to their oral health. Caroline feels that water fluoridation whilst beneficial is not the only factor associated with decay free teeth but other issues including genetics, acidity, diet, regularity and effectiveness of brushing all play a role. These factors and others can be assessed with regular monitoring and bi-annual active maintenance programs to assist adults, teens and children to be dentally fit for life.
Sean Dawes is a brilliant young dental hygienist/therapist who has become part of the dental team. Sean’s role as a dental hygienist is to take a preventative approach to oral health by teaching correct techniques to tooth brushing, flossing and use of other various hygiene products. Sean also performs thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums. As a highly skilled oral therapist Sean performs routine dentistry for children and teenagers between the ages of 4 and 17 (ie fillings and extractions of baby teeth) The main goal is a preventative mind set by seeing children at a young age and teaching both the child and parent the correct techniques of good oral hygiene.
Jacquelene Carter is a caring dedicated dental hygienist who believes that a person’s self esteem can suffer greatly if dental hygiene issues such as bad breath, decay, red and bleeding gums occur. She takes a holistic approach and passionately believes that by maintaining healthy gums and teeth and having 6 monthly professional cleans and check-ups, most dental problems can be avoided.