Staff
Teamwork makes the dream work!
The friendly team at Tankard Family Dental is passionate about delivering excellent customer service to our patients, to assist in ensuring better outcomes for their dental health.
Our administration staff work together with our dentists to create a positive experience for every patient.
Our team of dentists can deliver a range of services to address dental concerns, using the latest technology and procedures.
Our Dentists, Hygienist & Specialists
At Tankard Family Dental, we are served by four qualified dentists and a hygienist, all of whom are passionate about improving health outcomes for their patients.
Welcome
Dr EJ Galon
BOralH, MDentPros, PhD (neuropsych)
Dental Prosthetist
EJ completed a Diploma of Dental Technology from TAFE Queensland in 2007. He further completed a Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Technology (post-registration) at Griffith University in 2012. EJ continued his education in prosthetic dentistry and completed a Master of Dental Prosthetics in 2013, where he was awarded the ‘The School of Dentistry and Oral Health Clinical Award’. His Master’s Research focused on the psychology of edentulous patients (no remaining natural teeth) and its effects towards prognosis and treatment outcomes.
Until 2017, EJ had been involved in student learning. During his formal studies in higher education, he was involved with the School of Dentistry and Oral Health as an Adjunct Associate Lecturer in Dental Prosthetics. This included supervising postgraduate students during their clinical treatment sessions, supervising both dental technology and dental science undergraduates during their technical laboratory sessions, lecturing clinical prosthetic theory, and exam moderation.
As a practising dental prosthetist, EJ is a member of the Australian Dental Prosthetist Association (ADPA) and frequently attends conferences to continue his professional development. Clinically, his primary focus is on patient care, education, and understanding. Through this, EJ aims to deliver a detailed research- and evidence-based approach to treatment planning and prosthetic dental care.
Furthermore, EJ has completed additional undergraduate studies in psychological science at Bond University in Queensland and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Monash University in Melbourne. Most recently (2023), he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in neuropsychology from The University of Melbourne.
What is your favourite thing about being a dental prosthetist?
Smiling, talking, laughing and being able to eat comfortably is something we all take for granted. Once you lose the ability to do these ‘mundane everyday things’, you begin to understand how crucial your oral health is and how much of an impact it can have on your life, be it with your general health, your social life or even more fundamentally, your psychological well being. Having the privilege to be able to assist patients in bringing back their ability to eat the foods they have avoided or their ability to smile and laugh with confidence is definitely the most satisfying thing about being a dental prosthetist.
What do you like to do on your day off?
My wife and I are avid collectors of cacti, agave, succulents, and bonsai. So, on my days off, I like to unwind in the garden.
What is your favourite food?
Being Filipino, we have such unique cuisines, so my mum’s cooking would definitely be my favourite food!
Dr. Nick Weightman
Dentist
Availability
Mon – Wed – Thur – Fri
8:00am – 5:00pm
Tues
8:00am – 6:30pm
Nick has over 25 years of experience in clinical dentistry and teaching since graduating from the University of Adelaide in 1996.
After meeting his partner in the Netherlands during a holiday, Nick sold his share of his practice in Adelaide to pursue a desire to live in Europe. Nick passed the Dutch Dental Registration procedure and was offered a position as a lecturer at the Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam in the departments of Dental Radiology and Dental Hygiene. After returning to Australia in 2019, he worked in Alice Springs for 4 years before landing in Swan Hill.
What is your favourite thing about being a dentist?
When a patient comes to me with a problem or for advice, I like to take the time to discuss their options and then together decide on the best outcome for them. I enjoy problem solving and thinking outside the box. I enjoy all aspects of Dentistry, but am especially interested in Periodontics, Endodontics and Diagnosing through Radiology.
What do you like to do on your day off?
On my days off I enjoy pottering in the garden or hop on a bicycle. I love trains and (train) travel and enjoy music!
What is your favourite food?
Can I say coffee? I love searching for the best coffee places everywhere I go! Preferably next to a railway line!
Dr. Sindhu Ravichandran
Dentist
Availability
Mon – Wed – Thur – Fri
8:00am – 5:00pm
Tues
8:00am – 6:30pm
Sindhu graduated from Dental School in India in 2011. After her marriage, she arrived in Australia in 2012, where she did her dental exam for her Australian registration. Sindhu learned to love country and regional Australia for the community spirit and the relaxed attitude when she was a part of the Albury-Wodonga community for eight years. After spending some years in Broken Hill, in 2021, she made Swan Hill her home and worked at the Swan Hill Hospital for some years before joining the team at Tankard Family Dental.
What is your favourite thing about being a dentist?
When a patient sits down in the chair, I don’t only focus on the dental side but the patient as a whole, assessing their needs with them. That means together, we can get the best outcomes. I love all aspects of dentistry, with a particular interest in Oral Surgery. I enjoy working with new technologies for crown and endodontics to get the best outcomes for my patients.
What do you like to do on your days off?
I mostly spend quality time with my 10-year old son. I also play badminton, and enjoy singing!
What is your favourite food?
My mum in India used to cook the best food. Now I love anything vegetarian, really, especially Dosai and Idly.
Dr. Taya Berezhna
Dentist
Availability
Mon – Wed – Thur – Fri
8:00am – 5:00pm
Tues
8:00am – 6:30pm
Taya grew up in Sydney and completed her dental degree at La Trobe University, Bendigo in 2012. For over 12 years she has worked in private practices including most recently in Mildura for 7 years. Taya is well experienced in crown and bridge work, teeth removal, root canal treatment and has particular interest in cosmetic dentistry.
What is your favourite thing about being a dentist?
I strive to treat everyone in a gentle and caring manner to ensure that each person leaves with a smile after their dental visit.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Outside of work, Taya enjoys gardening, reading and being outdoors.
Dr. Kalaan Schroeder
Dentist
Availability
Mon – Wed – Thur – Fri
8:00am – 5:00pm
Tues
8:00am – 6:30pm
Kalaan was born and raised in Mildura before completing his dental degree at La Trobe University, Bendigo in 2013. Kalaan has always had an interest to work in rural and regional areas and after completing his degree he worked in Albury for 3 years, before returning to Mildura to work for 7 years. Kalaan is proficient in all aspects of general dentistry, but focuses on options that involve minimal intervention and seeks to preserve the teeth where possible.
What is your favourite thing about being a dentist?
I particularly enjoy resolving complex dentitions using knowledge from my further study in orthodontics and prosthodontics.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Outside of dentistry, Kalaan enjoys fishing, playing tennis and hiking.
Dr. Declan Dreyer
Dentist
Availability
Visiting Monthly
Declan grew up in Adelaide and graduated from the Bachelor of Dental Surgery program at the University of Adelaide. In his final years, he pursued a research degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, from which he achieved First Class Honours.
Following Graduation, he worked in Adelaide for several years before joining Tankard Dental in the Riverland and now Tankard Family Dental Swan Hill.
What is your favourite thing about being a dentist?
My favourite thing about being a dentist is being able to solve problems and work with my patients to achieve results that we are both very happy with. I also have a keen interest in Implants, Oral Surgery and Restorative Dentistry.
I love that dentistry is an ever-growing profession. I will continue to strive, challenge and further myself in all aspects of Dentistry to provide the best service he can for his patients.
What do you like to do on your days off?
I love travelling and will often go and visit a new destination on my days off.
What is your favourite food?
Although this may be strange, I have no favourite food! I however, love going to new restaurants and venues to see what is on offer.
Dr. Kim Nguyen
Dentist
Availability
Mon – Wed – Thur – Fri
8:00am – 5:00pm
Tues
8:00am – 6:30pm
Originally from Melbourne, Kim graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedicine and Doctor of Dental Surgery from The University of Melbourne. Kim’s positive experiences at the dentist as a child prompted her to pursue a career in dentistry, where now she endeavours to also make her own patients’ experience a positive one.
What is your favourite thing about being a dentist?
I love that dentistry gives me the opportunity to get to know each one of my patients, which in turn helps me to improve each patient’s oral health in a personalised manner. I pride myself in being a gentle and empathetic dentist, and I strive to break the stereotype that going to the dentist is an unpleasant experience.
What do you like to do on your day off?
You can catch me reading a thriller/crime novel, binging on some netflix, or working on a Lego set during my downtime.
What is your favourite food?
There is so much great food out there in the world, but hot chips with chicken salt holds a special place in my heart!
Helen Checker
Hygienist
Availability
Mon – Fri
8:00am – 5:00pm
What is your favourite thing about being a hygienist?
I love being a hygienist, forming long-standing patient relationships and partnerships in oral health
Louise Spacey
Hygienist
Availability
Mon – Tue – Wed
9:00am – 3:30pm
Louise graduated with a Diploma of Dental Hygiene in Adelaide in 1998. She worked in Melbourne for several years before moving to Tresco. As a dedicated mother of twins, Louise has fortunately been able to work part time and ensure continuity for her patients.
What is your favourite thing about being a hygienist?
I strongly believe in delivering preventive dentistry in a gentle, non-invasive manner and I do my best to provide a tailored home care regime to suit my patients’ needs and capabilities.
What do you like to do on your days off?
In my spare time I am very busy with work on the home farm and I have twin boys!
What is your favourite food?
I love spicy food! Especially a great tasty stir-fry or a hot curry! Of course we use home produce when we can; nothing beats that!
Dr. Arthur Drouganis
Periodontist
Availability
Visiting Monthly – Available
Appointment Only
Visiting Periodontist
Dr Drouganis is a periodontist with over 35 years of experience. In the first half of his career, he practised as a general dentist and the second half as a specialist in the fields of Periodontics and Dental Implantology.
He holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees from Adelaide University and has published papers in national and international journals on periodontics.
The Alice Springs community is privileged to have Dr Arthur Drouganis bring his experience and knowledge to the red centre.
Dr Tony Mavrokokki
Dentist
Availability
Visiting Monthly – Available
Appointment Only
Graduating from the University of Adelaide in 1977 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Dr Mavrokokki worked in private practice for seven years before serving as a senior lecturer in oral surgery. He also worked in the Special Needs unit at the Adelaide Dental Hospital for 15 years. His experience has given him insight into comprehending how to manage patients who are medically compromised.
To further his education, Dr Mavrokokki earned a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Medicine) in 2004. This highly capable and caring dentoalveolar surgeon has a particular interest in all facets of minor oral surgery.
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We have 25+ years of experience
in the dental industry.
Our mission is to continue to provide the highest quality dental services to families, embracing new technologies and better access to dental specialists.
Our mission is to continue to provide the highest quality dental services to families, embracing new technologies and better access to dental specialists.
Our mission is to continue to provide the highest quality dental services to families, embracing new technologies and better access to dental specialists.