Initial consult
HEALTHY SMILES ENRICHING LIVES
 

Dr Melinda Cheung (Principal Dentist)

Dr. Melinda Cheung isn’t just the heart and soul of SMILE & Co.; she’s the visionary who brought our dental haven to life! Born and bred in Melbourne, and a true Melburnian at heart, Dr. Mel loves this vibrant city and its people. Graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Adelaide in 2005, she has spent over a decade shaping smiles across Melbourne’s CBD and eastern suburbs. Dr. Melinda Cheung is a proud member of the Australian Dental Association, continuously expanding her knowledge through local and international educational courses.

Beyond the Dental Chair

When she’s not crafting beautiful smiles, you might spot Melinda at the beach, pounding Melbourne’s paths and trails or in the kitchen baking! She’s all about embracing life, whether it’s sharing moments with loved ones, exploring new cafes, or savouring Melbourne’s legendary coffee scene.

Mission and Vision

Melinda is on a mission to redefine dental health experiences. At SMILE & Co., she aims to dispel the myth that “dentists are scary” by creating a warm, welcoming environment where every patient feels at ease.

Available: Monday Wednesday Thursday and Friday

Speaks Cantonese and English

 

Dr Rita Barkus (General Dentist)

Meet Dr. Rita, a passionate and dedicated dentist who has been making smiles brighter since 1984! From the age of eight, Rita knew she wanted to be a dentist, and she turned her childhood dream into reality by graduating from the prestigious University of Sydney.

Rita’s journey began at the Westmead Centre for Oral Health, where she honed her skills before moving to Melbourne in 1987. Since then, she’s been transforming smiles in private practice, with a delightful stint working in the vibrant city of London.

A lifelong learner, Rita is always on the move, attending courses to stay at the cutting edge of dental technology and techniques. She believes in the power of empathy and effective communication, treating her patients with care and understanding in a warm, welcoming environment. To Rita, patients are more than just mouths—they're individuals with unique needs and stories. She’s committed to educating her patients on oral care, fostering trust, and easing dental anxieties.

Rita’s Lithuanian heritage is close to her heart, and she cherishes her cultural roots and community. Family is her greatest joy, and she shares her life with her wonderful husband and two adult sons. When she’s not crafting perfect smiles, you can find Rita enjoying the theatre, grooving to a wide range of music, whipping up delicious meals, and embracing the great outdoors. She’s an avid Iyengar yoga practitioner for over two decades, a keen skier, and a travel enthusiast with plans to volunteer in the future.

Join Rita on her mission to make dental visits a delightful and educational experience. She’s here to ensure your smile is as vibrant as her own zest for life!

Available: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

Speaks English, Lithuanian, French

Dr Rita Barkus is only seeing her current patients.

 

Dr Natalia BErrios (General Dentist)

Dr. Natalia Berrios, or “Naty”, is a passionate and dedicated dentist who believes that dental care should be a positive and enjoyable experience where she gets to know her patients thoroughly through the years. She loves Dentistry and is committed to providing the best care in a safe and friendly environment.

Dr. Naty graduated with honours from the University de Concepcion in Chile in 2014. With her gentle approach, she ensures that each patient feels comfortable and well-cared for. Her goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere where patients of all ages can receive top-notch dental care.

With a multicultural team by her side, Dr. Naty brings a world of expertise and a personal touch to every patient she sees. Her international experience and commitment to respecting and celebrating diverse backgrounds makes everyone feel welcome.

When she’s not at the office, Dr. Naty enjoys exploring the beauty of Australia, spending time with her hubby and friends, and eager to start helping in outreach programs.

Come meet Dr. Naty and experience how enjoyable and rewarding a trip to the dentist can be. Schedule an appointment today and join our Smile & Co dental family!

 Speaks English and Spanish

Available: Wednesday Thursday and Friday

 
 

Cathy Ma (Oral Hygienist)

Cathy is SMILE & Co.’s hygienist.  With her gentle and caring nature, Cathy strives to provide patients with exceptional preventative dental care so that they can achieve optimal oral health.  She is eager to share her knowledge so that patients can have the information and tools to maintain a healthy smile. 

In her free time Cathy enjoys building Legos and exploring the ins and outs of the city of Melbourne.

Available: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Speaks English

 

Rachel Crawley-Boevey (Oral Health Therapist)

Meet Rachel, our rockstar Oral Health Therapist! She’s been rocking the dental scene since 2019, blending top-notch patient care with a knack for educating everyone she meets. Got dental questions? Rachel’s your go-to guru!

As an Oral Health Therapist (aka OHT), Rachel is a double whammy: not only is she a wizard at keeping your smile sparkling during hygiene appointments, but she’s also a pro at handling treatments for kids and young adults.

When she’s not perfecting smiles, Rachel loves exploring new restaurants and cafes, or chilling out down the Peninsula with her family. Trust us, she’s as cool as she sounds!

Available: Wednesday

Speaks English

 
 

Discover the exceptional individuals who make our dental practice thrive! In addition to our skilled dentists and oral hygienists, we have an incredible team dedicated to ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience. You may have already encountered our team members during your visits, but if not, rest assured that they eagerly await your arrival. Take a moment to learn more about our amazing team, and get ready to be warmly greeted and supported throughout your next visit to our clinic.

 

Michelle wong (practice manager)

Meet Michelle (or should we say Mische), our dynamo Practice Manager! She’s the glue that holds us all together with her unmatched organisational wizardry and a laugh that’s downright infectious. Whether she’s cracking jokes or keeping everything running smoothly, her quirky charm keeps our team smiling. With Michelle at the helm, every day is a caffeinated adventure!

Speaks English

Virginie (Front office coordinator)

Bonjour, Hi! Virginie, or “Ginny”, grew up in beautiful snowy Canada. In late 2023, she bid adieu to the tundra, and moved down under.  When she’s not welcoming you at front desk, you’ll catch her on epic foodie adventures, conquering hiking trails, and nurturing her green babies as a proud plant mom. And oh, her funky sock collection? It’s like a party for your feet!

Speaks English and French

ELLY (Dental assistant)

Known as the Ninja at SMILE & Co., Elly is known to be the fast and efficient member of the team. With her friendly demeanour and her infectious giggle, Elly can make the most nervous of patients calm and comfortable in the chair, especially with her stress relieving squeezies.  In her spare time, Elly enjoys venturing off to the outskirts of Melbourne to discover new towns, playing on her Nintendo and listening to Disney soundtracks.

Speaks English and Korean

Tatiana (dental assistant)

Have the pleasure to meet Tatiana, our other South American beauty from Colombia! Her background as a dentist overseas explains why she is so passionate about caring for other people’s health and you can always expect her to give you a big cozy smile when she is around. When she’s not assisting our clinicians, she’s on a relentless quest for the yummiest vegetarian and vegan treats, turning every meal into a culinary adventure. Tatiana is all about spreading good vibes and making our workplace feel like one big happy family.

Speaks English and Spanish

Jasmine (Dental assistant)

Meet Jasmine, or as we fondly call her, “B”. Originally from the tropical Philippines and now basking in the Aussie sunshine, she brings a vibrant energy that matches her love for beach days and outdoorsy activities. When she’s not working, B is off on culinary escapades – a true foodie adventurer eager to discover new cuisines! With B’s infectious laughter and friendly spirit, your visit promises to be as refreshing as a day at the beach – relaxed, carefree, and filled with radiant smiles!

Speaks English and Tagalog