Jenny Kirkland

Dentist

Jenny is owner and co-director of Rapid Response Dental founded in 2013.  A graduate of the University of Otago, Jenny has worked as a general dentist in various private practices in the north island of New Zealand as well as England, Northern Ireland and Australia.  During these travel stints, Jenny worked in a variety of clinical settings and soon realized that the dental industry differed a great deal from practice to practice.  Along the way, Jenny gleaned wide-ranging ideas of what constituted ‘best practice’ both within the clinic and the wider business models that she later morphed and incorporated into Rapid Response Dental.

These days, Jenny divides her time between the clinic and the administration of the company.  In the clinic, Jenny enjoys catching up with her loyal patients.  Jenny particularly enjoys treatment planning complex cases and undertaking implant and crown work.  Out of the clinic, Jenny helps oversee the running of the business and staff, alongside practice managers Lynley Christie and Josy Goggin. 

The recent move to new premises located in 277 Broadway Avenue meant the two former branches of Rapid Response Dental could be incorporated under one roof.  This relocation facilitated management of the business and provided Jenny with an invaluable lesson about the world of local council, bylaws and tradespeople.  The next 18-months are scheduled to see the final fit out completed allowing for extra clinic room.   Watch this space!  

When Jenny is not at work, she is happy living on a lifestyle block in Ashhurst with her husband, two children and a variety of animals.  Although spare moments are rare, Jenny enjoys simple pleasures such as classical music, gardening and the occasional glass of wine.   

Jason Cliff

Dentist

Jason is a senior dentist at Rapid Response Dental.  Jason moved to Palmerston North in 2011, joining the team at Palmerston North Hospital, as a Dental House Surgeon. After spending two years at the hospital, he worked in private practice in Palmerston North and Wanganui joining Rapid Response Dental in 2013. 

Since completing his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2010, Jason has continued to study. He has completed many courses including Clear Alignment Therapy, root canal treatments, extractions, restoration and appearance techniques.

Jason strives to deliver superior “chairside” service. He takes time to ensure clients are relaxed and informed in all aspects of his service. 

Prior to studying Dentistry, Jason was a teacher of Information Technologies. At the height of his teaching career, he was responsible to upskill teachers in IT across 21 schools. 

In his spare time, Jason enjoys playing table tennis and badminton in the Palmerston North clubs and is a committee member on both. He enjoys snowboarding in the winter season.  Jason, his wife Kate, and daughters Hannah and Emily enjoy the sporting opportunities Palmerston North has to offer. Jason and Kate also enjoy playing card games and board games.

Sonika Puri

Dentist

Sonika graduated from M.R Ambedkar Dental College & Hospital (India) in 2004.  She worked as a general dentist in India for three years before deciding to specialise in orthodontics completing a degree in Masters of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics from A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (India) in 2008. After gaining clinical work experience for five years, Sonika decided she would like to broaden her life experience by living and travelling overseas.  After a lot of planning, Sonika arrived in New Zealand to start work as a general dentist in 2013 and joined Rapid Response Dental in 2017.  Since then, Sonika has embraced her new role in the practice and enjoys everyday dentistry with a particular interest in complex restorative treatment with an emphasis on patient education about the preventive aspects of oral disease. 

Besides dentistry, Sonika enjoys reading and spending time with her niece.  One of the main reasons Sonika came to New Zealand was for the tramping and she aims to walk all the famous tracks around New Zealand.  

Rahul Salian

Dentist

Rahul graduated from the A.B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (India) with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2001.  After gaining experience as a general dentist for five years, Rahul completed a further degree in Masters of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics in 2009 from the A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.  Upon gaining his specialty qualification, Rahul remained at the same teaching institue to work as a Consultant Orthodontist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.   Having practised in India for more than eight years and gaining a lot of clinical experience, Rahul decided to broaden his horizons and moved to New Zealand in 2014.  Rahul joined Rapid Response Dental in 2019 and is now practising general dentistry with a special interest in orthodontics. 

When Rahul is not at work, he is a keen follower of cricket and enjoys outdoor activities such as trekking and also travelling the world.

Rachelle Sievers

Dental Hygienist

Rachelle joined the NZ Army at 17 years of age as a Dental Assistant. After many years in this role, Rachelle decided to further her career in the dental field, graduating at the University of Otago as a Dental Hygienist in 2004.

Since then, Rachelle has worked within New Zealand and Australia as a Dental Hygienist.  Rachelle is very passionate about the delivery of hygiene treatment and thinks that it is a vital part of dentistry.  In the clinic, Rachelle works closely with her patients to educate, maintain and improve their oral health.  Rachelle is a firm believer that visiting an hygienist regularly is as much about prevention of oral disease as it is about treatment.   She is always motivated by the improvements in her patients’ oral health at recall appointments and finds it extremely satisfying to obtain positive results for her patients.  In particular, Rachelle enjoys the treatment challenge of managing complex periodontal cases.

Outside of work, Rachelle loves spending time with family, friends and running around the squash court or exploring the outdoors.

Lauren Modlik

Dental Hygienist

Lauren first joined Rapid Reponse Dental in 2016 to cover maternity leave.   With the purchase of Robert Joe's practice, Lauren then stayed on in her existing dual role as Oral Therapist and Dental Hygienist having graduated with a Bacehlor of Oral Health from the University of Otago in 2009.  

Lauren always knew she wanted a career that was hands on, practical, involved human connection and had an educational aspect. It wasn’t until she got a Dental Assisting job between university semesters that she found Dental Hygiene.  Inspired by several amazing Dental Hygienists, she thought ‘I could do this when I grow up’  - it simply ticked all the boxes!

So leaving her now husband in Wellington, she went to Dunedin to study Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. After 3 years Lauren returned to Wellington, and worked as a Dental Hygienist in private practice and a Dental Therapist for the Hutt Valley District Health Board.  She continued her commute to Wellington for 4 years once her husband had accepted a military posting in Linton, until 2017 when she had the opportunity to join Rapid Response Dental.  Two and a half years later, Lauren is still loving it, working with a wonderful team of professionals and lovely patients.

Lauren is incredibly passionate about oral health – ensuring that patients receive thorough complete treatment of a high standard and also providing education and skills that enable patients to care for their own mouths to achieve successful oral health goals for the betterment of their teeth and gums but also general health.  At the centre of Lauren’s focus is working with patients who are very anxious about coming to the dentist.  It is so important that patients feel listened to, that their needs are met and that through time and patience, their dental experiences are positive and painless.  She is dedicated to these patients, striving to provide exceptional treatment, whilst easing nerves and worries, creating confident dental patients.  Lauren also loves being a big kid and enjoys the opportunities she has to work with children – whether it be in schools providing oral health education or in the dental setting. These little people need to enjoy coming to their visits, they need to have fun and positive appointments so they become adults who are confident dental visitors, who care for their oral health.

Family is life for Lauren, being married to Helmut for 9 and a half years, with 3 wonderful children – Olivia – 8, Helmut Junior – 6, and Lucy - 3. They are her reason! Spare time is trying out different playgrounds in Palmerston North, skate park visits, fresh air by the river or in the hills and trying to stay on top of the constant mountain of washing!! For a bit of an endorphin release Lauren loves anything fitness and spends time on the spin bikes and pumping weights at the gym, evening walks and cycling.

Lauren loves a laugh, a chat and singing – you’ll most likely get all three when you come and see her for your appointment.

Lynley Christie

Practice Manager

Lynley started as a dental assistant, in Pahiatua, straight out of high school almost 30 years ago. After a year off, Lynley resumed working in the industry as an assistant and receptionist particularly enjoying assisting with extractions and oral surgery. She completed her training and gained her NZDA qualification.  After working locally for 12 years with Robert Joe, the practice was sold to Rapid Response Dental and her role changed to Practice Manager. Lynley has enjoyed this change and the challenge of helping to manage the Rapid Response Dental team along with her sidekick Josy.

In her spare time, Lynley enjoys travelling and is looking forward to exploring more of Europe in the future with her husband.

Josy Goggin

Practice Manager

Josy joined the Rapid Response team in 2017, at the time juggling dental assisting, along with being a healthcare assistant, studying health sciences and also being a mum.  After a busy year she decided to make life slightly simpler and became a full time dental assistant, whilst gaining her NZDA qualification. In 2018 the opportunity arose to become the Practice Manager for the Square premises, she chose to take this on and hasn’t looked back. Now at the new premises, working alongside Lynley, she enjoys her role and being part of a professional, yet fun team, with a great work atmosphere.

Out of work Josy is mum to two children, weekends are spent working on their lifestyle block, taking their husky, Freyja, for walks, and trying to relax where possible.

Tegan Mabey

Dental Assistant

Jordan Vance

Dental Assistant

Terri Staniland

Dental Assistant

Seojin Lee

Dental Assistant

Anna Tahere

Dental Assistant