Welcome to Shepherds Hill Dental Centre

Dr Tharaka Narayana joined Dr Renee Ashby as a partner dentist at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre in 2014. Tharaka completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery, graduating with first class honours, at Adelaide University in 2006. Since 2006 Tharaka has moved to different parts of Australia, working in private dental practices in Warrnambool, Victoria and Aspley in Brisbane. In 2012 Tharaka returned to his home town of Adelaide and worked in a private dentist in Hindmarsh Adelaide.

Tharaka enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, particularly the relationships he builds with his patients. He is actively involved in continuing education to refine his knowledge and skills in modern dentistry. He is actively involved in the ADA (Australian Dental Association) and is currently on the ADA’s Practice Support Committee.

Outside of work Tharaka loves to spend time with his wife, their young daughter, and family and friends. Tharaka enjoys running, surfing and playing a spot of cricket.

Meet the whole dental team at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre >

Dr Renee Ashby started at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre in January 2009 working with the original owners Drs Adrian and Susan Gaffney. Renee became a partner dentist at Shepherds Hill in 2010 and worked with Drs Adrian and Susan up to their retirement in 2014. Renee graduated from Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2005.

Before joining Shepherds Hill Renee worked in private practices in country and metropolitan South Australia.

Renee has a keen interest in preventive general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and dental implants. She enjoys the complexity and satisfaction of root canal therapy. Renee regularly attends professional courses to consolidate her knowledge and skills.

Outside of work Renee enjoys spending time with family, friends and her husband in and around the Blackwood area of Adelaide

Meet the whole dental team at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre >

Dr Jasper Lee joined Shepherds Hill Dental Centre in early 2020 as an associate dentist, after completing his Bachelor of Dental Surgery training at the University of Adelaide and working at the Adelaide Dental Hospital.

Jasper has been trained in the most up-to-date evidence based practice and is keen to bring his care and expertise to the Blackwood community. Jasper has had a diverse career, having completed dentistry as mature age student. Before becoming a dentist, Jasper worked for over a decade in the technology industry for global consulting companies and startups across the US, UK and at home in Australia.

Jasper loves building relationships with his patients and is passionate about providing warm and compassionate care to help them improve their oral health. He loves interacting with patients and enjoys the broad scope of general practice and emergency care. He believes it’s a privilege to be able to make a difference to a patient’s health and self-confidence. He continues to further his knowledge through courses and is particularly interested in digital dentistry and crown and bridge work.

Outside of work, Jasper is a busy husband and dad.

He is passionate about sustainability and electric vehicles. He is currently the chair of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Environmental Sustainability Committee, with the aim of moving the profession to a low carbon, zero waste and sustainable future.

Meet the whole dental team at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre >

Meet Shepherds Hill Dental Centre’s practice manager Natalie 

Affectionately known to colleagues and patients as Nat, she is in many ways the ‘Lynchpin’ of our practice!

Nat has been with Shepherds Hill Dental Centre for around 28 years so she knows the world of dentistry, our patients and their families inside out. She has watched many patients grow up and even met their children.

Nat will often be the first person you talk to on the phone, or the first smiling face you see when you walk in the door. She is highly capable, knows so much about dentistry and how we work at Shepherds Hill.

If you are unsure about your dental problem, what the treatment options might be and what the best way to proceed is, then there is no better person to call than our practice manager Natalie.

Here to make sure you enjoy your visit to the dentist!

Call Natalie or one of our other friendly receptionists at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre on (08) 8278 6858 today.

Find out more about our practice manager Natalie >

Dr Ryan Cornish joined the team at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre in 2017 and has a strong interest and significant clinical experience in both Oral Surgery (extractions) and Oral Pathology. After initially undertaking a Medical Science and subsequent First Class Honours Degree from The University of Adelaide between 1995-1998, he then also graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2003 (awarded the University Medal), followed by a Masters Degree in Oral Pathology in 2005.

Ryan has also undertaken formal training in Oral Surgery both in Adelaide and the United Kingdom. In addition to private practice in Adelaide, he has also enjoyed positions teaching Dental Students as a Senior Lecturer for the University of Adelaide, and acted as Clinical Director for the Tasmanian Oral Health Service.

Ryan can undertake procedures both under local anaesthetic as well as day surgery at Flinders Private Hospital. Currently he is consulting on alternate Thursdays at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre.

Leean King graduated from Dental Hygiene in Adelaide in 1994 and joined the Shepherds Hill Dental Centre team in 2011. Leean’s twenty five years of experience in the dental industry has been gained by practicing in both country NSW and South Australia in general private practices with exposure to the specialist practices of orthodontics, periodontics, and aesthetic and implant dentistry.

Leean enjoys all aspects of dentistry and treats patients of all ages with her own unique caring and compassionate manner. Leean focuses on providing a quality dental treatment whilst helping her patients feel at ease in order to achieve their best oral health.

Leean spent two years as the President of the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia, South Australian Branch and actively keeps up her continuing education requirements by attending workshops, conferences and webinars.

Leean lives locally and enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, family and friends. Other interests include cooking, gardening and keeping fit.

Meet the Dental Hygiene team at Shepherds Hill Dental Centre >

Our dental assistants and front desk reception team members, led by our Practice Manager Natalie, are the friendly faces that make your visit to the dentist a comfortable and smooth experience.

They work closely with our friendly dentists and dental hygienists to ensure that you get the information you need over the phone, are greeted warmly when you arrive, and are relaxed throughout your time in the dental chair.