The Happy Chomper Family
Our staff are dedicated professionals, who are committed to providing patients with high quality dental care in a happy, caring and supportive environment. We have a team of Dentists and Oral Health Therapists to make sure we are able to provide the highest quality dentistry and the best patient experience.
Dr Chris Thorne
Principal Dentist
Chris joined the Mount Barker Dental Centre in 2009. He has a keen interest in all aspects of dentistry, and especially enjoys the relationships that are built up with patients over time. He is a strong believer that good teeth are a vital factor in a healthy life. Chris is always looking at further professional development, which he feels is vitally important in dentistry due to the constant changes in both materials and techniques.
Outside of dentistry Chris fills his spare time tinkering with old cars and playing with his adorable black labrador, Prince, and his over-enthusiastic German Shorthaired Pointer, EJ .
Dr Hannah Korhonen-Bannister
Dentist
Hannah joined the Mount Barker Dental Centre in October 2017, when she moved back to Adelaide to be closer to her family. Prior to joining our Happy Chomper team Hannah worked in private practice in the Perth metropolitan area, after graduating from the University of Western Australia. Hannah grew up in Mylor and went to high school at St John’s Grammar in Belair.
Hannah especially enjoys restorative and aesthetic treatments and working with children. She places particular importance on helping her nervous patients feel comfortable and educating all her patients about techniques to maintain a healthy smile.
Hannah regularly attends study groups and courses to stay at the forefront of the latest developments in dental treatment. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking new meals in the kitchen and pursuing her equestrian hobbies.
Tammy Shields
Dental Hygienist
Tammy Joined the Mount Barker Dental Centre Team in 2022. Hailing from country Victoria she joins the practice with 6 years of experience in the dental industry.
Tammy likes to help patients feel comfortable in the dental chair, and listen to any concerns they might have regarding their oral health. Her main focus is helping patients to improve their oral hygiene practices and creating a supportive environment for patients to flourish on their dental journey.
In her free time, she likes to participate in amateur musical theatre productions around Adelaide and take her two Jack Russell’s, Lydia and Jane, for long walks.
Katie Standish
Oral Health Therapist
After graduating from Adelaide University in 2010, Katie spent over ten years treating thousands of children in metropolitan and country clinics with SA Dental Service. Her area of interest is treating children with autism, anxiety disorders and neurodivergent children and adults.
Creating a safe, understanding and supportive environment for patients who struggle to access dental care is paramount to her clinical practice.
Outside the clinic, Katie spends her time playing taxi and snack slave to her six year old son, Jack, lifting very heavy things in the gym, and constantly wondering why the washing machine only eats one sock from each pair!
Mary Lozano
Dental Hygienist
Mary joined Mouth Barker Dental Centre in 2018. Originally from South America, she has been working in the oral healthcare field for nearly two decades. She loves dentistry, she thinks it is a great blend of science and helping others.
Mary is keen to deliver the best possible care to her patients. She likes to listen to their concerns and takes the time to explain any issues. She always provides encouragement to patients on improving their oral health and offers to assist with ongoing maintenance, early intervention, prevention, and education. Her greatest satisfaction comes from being able to play a part in and share a patient’s smile journey.
In her spare time Mary likes dance, yoga, sharing dinner with a good glass of wine and spending time with her family, friends and her grumpy old terrier dog.
Our dental assistants and reception staff
Our dental assistants and reception staff are also a very important part of our team. These staff are skilled in all facets of patient care including assisting our dentists and oral health therapists, managing appointments, instrument sterilisation, infection control, maintaining equipment and managing dental supplies. Most importantly each and every one of them is genuinely committed to caring for our patients and contributing to a happy environment!