Meet The Team

Dr. Rachel McDowall, originally from Scotland, graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Dundee in 2014. She moved to Australia in 2016. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Rachel is committed to her professional development and regularly attends additional training courses.

In her general dentistry practice, Dr. Rachel embraces the variety of challenges each day offers, particularly enjoying her work with children and patients who experience anxiety about dental visits. She focuses on building strong, trusting relationships with her patients, emphasizing effective communication and rapport. A highlight of her career is meeting so many wonderful people, and she values the opportunity to connect with each patient personally.

Dr. Amy Fan moved to Hervey Bay after completing her Bachelor of Dental Science with Honours at the University of Queensland in 2018. Since then, she has invested in the local community and is known for her friendly and compassionate approach to dentistry. 

Dr. Amy enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, and is committed to helping patients preserve their natural smiles. She loves spending time to plan comprehensive care that is tailored to each patient’s needs and regularly attends continuing professional development courses to ensure she is able to offer high quality, ethical, evidence-based treatment options. 

Above all, Dr. Amy is passionate about educating and motivating her patients to maintain healthy oral habits, ensuring their teeth stay strong for years to come. She strongly believes prevention is always the best strategy and makes time to volunteer with organisations which promote this. 

Qualifications
Certificate III in Dental Assisting and Certificate IV in Medical Administration

What I do in the practice – While I’m mainly based at reception, I also oversee the clinical management side of things with stock ordering, maintenance, rostering, compliance and much more.

Why I love working at Smile Dental – There is so much to love about working here! My favourite thing at Smile Dental is the people: staff and patients. We are part of a big family here and I hope to show the same value to our patients. Our environment is always happy and cheery, and we are lucky to have wonderful patients. It really is a joy coming to work each day!

My favourite quote is: "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

What I enjoy doing outside of work – I enjoy getting out and about with my husband and two boys, whether down at the beach or some form of exercise, or adventure. I also enjoy photography and running my own business in this, which keeps me very busy.

Qualifications
Certificate III in Aged Care
Certificate III in Teacher Aiding

Although I have never got around to doing my Certificate III in Dental, I have worked for 20 years in the industry.

What I do in the practice – I primarily work in reception, however, will sometimes work in the surgery alongside the dentist as required. I also assist in theatre at St. Stephen’s Hospital when we have general anaesthetic cases, these are suited for patients who need care outside of our dental chairs.

Why I love working at Smile Dental – I love the team I work here with; everyone is fantastic to work with, and we all support one another continuously. It’s nice to have work colleagues you can call your friends.

I also really enjoy taking care of our patients and getting to know them, supporting and assisting them as best as I can. Our practice is so beautifully decorated and has all new equipment, making it a pleasure to work in.

My favourite quote is: "Enjoy every precious moment of every day, as it could be your last."

What I enjoy doing outside of work – Spending time with family/friends and my fur babies. I would love to start travelling again as this hasn’t happened in the past few years. I love to have new experiences, so I am keen to try new things that I haven’t tried before, but I am not really into thrill-seeking.

Qualifications
Certificate III in Dental Assisting

What I do in the practice – I support the smooth day-to-day running of the dental practice by managing reception duties, including scheduling appointments, handling patient enquiries, maintaining accurate records, and processing payments. Alongside administrative responsibilities, I provide chairside assistance during a wide range of dental procedures, preparing treatment rooms, organising instruments, and ensuring efficient workflow. I am also responsible for strict sterilisation and infection control protocols, maintaining equipment and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Above all, I prioritise patient care, helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and supported throughout their visit.

Why I love working at Smile Dental - I love working at Smile Dental for many reasons. I absolutely adore the people I work with (my work family), all of the wonderful patients who walk through our doors, and our amazing location in beautiful Hervey Bay.

My favourite quote is: "Practice makes perfect".

What I enjoy doing outside of work – Outside of work, I’m embracing an exciting new chapter as I start my journey into parenthood. I love spending quality time with my partner, whether it’s relaxing down at the beach, going camping, or heading off on spontaneous road trips. I also adore spending time with my beloved dog, Arlow, who keeps life fun and full of energy.

Qualifications
Cert III in Early Childhood Education

What I do in the practice – As a dental assistant, I help make every visit smooth, comfortable, and stress free for our patients. I work closely with the dentist during procedures, prepare treatment rooms and ensure all instruments are properly sterilized and ready to go. I also support patients by explaining procedures, answering questions, and helping them feel at ease before, during, and after their appointment. My goal is to create a calm, welcoming environment while delivering efficient, high quality care behind the scenes and chairside.

Why I love working at Smile Dental – Working at Smile Dental is very rewarding! We have such a supportive, tight-knit team that hold the same goal in creating a positive and professional space for everyone who walks through the door. As well as building relationships with patients and supporting them through their visit creates a real sense of purpose each day.

My favourite quote is: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”

What I enjoy doing outside of work –  Spending time with my family and friends and doing anything crafty.

What I do in the practice – I mainly support clinicians chairside during a wide range of treatments. I ensure surgeries are fully prepared and stocked following infection control guidelines closely. I also keep up with sterilising instruments, manage patient records, and help create a calm and welcoming environment for every patient. I take pride in making sure each appointment runs smoothly and patients feel reassured and cared from start to finish.

Why I love working at Smile Dental – I absolutely love being apart of Smile Dental because of the positive atmosphere, the commitment to high quality patient care, and the way we work together to make every patient feel comfortable and confident in their smile. Being apart of such a supportive and professional team makes everyday rewarding.

My favourite quote is: “We’ve got this!” – I believe a reassuring attitude can make all the difference, especially in the dental setting.

What I enjoy doing outside of work –  I enjoy sports, spending quality time with my family, and working on my race car as my daughter calls it. I also enjoy travelling and having a good laugh with friends.