Role: Owner and Principal Dentist
Dr. Joshua Smith, Owner and Principal Dentist of Gentle Dental Hervey Bay, is a local of Hervey Bay being born and raised in the area and having lived locally since 1986. Dr. Smith studied at Griffith University on the Gold Coast and has obtained multiple degrees in Medical Science, Medical Research and a Master’s degree in Dentistry.
Dr. Smith maintains the highest standards in Dentistry by using the best and latest techniques and bringing his patients the most up to date technology. His commitment to excellence starts from the moment he meets his patient, listens to the patient’s concerns, and comes up with the best and most long-lasting solution. His secret to success is treating his patients the way he would like to be treated, just like friends and family.
Role: Owner/Director
Chantelle Smith, Owner and Manager of Gentle Dental Hervey Bay, is a local of Hervey Bay since 1989. Chantelle grew up in Hervey Bay, before studying, living and working in various locations across Australia before returning home to Hervey Bay. Chantelle has a Bachelor of Human Services and Master of Social Work and is continuing to work in this field within the Hervey Bay community.
Chantelle and her husband, Josh (joint Owner and Principal Dentist of Gentle Dental Hervey Bay) met in 2010 and now have 2 beautiful daughters together.
Chantelle is committed to supporting the delivery of reliable, comfortable and quality services of Dentistry to the Hervey Bay community as she believes everybody should enjoy great oral health and have access to high standards of care.
Role: Treatment Coordinator
Brooke has been in the dental industry as a dental nurse since 2018. She completed her Cert 3 and Cert 4 in Dental Radiography. Brooke is always finding ways to make her patients feel comfortable and heard, whether it be for a simple procedure or an advanced surgical procedure. Brooke has experience in many areas of dentistry, but excels in our Implantology and All On 4 Implant procedures, working closely alongside our principal dentist Dr Joshua Smith.
Brooke always wants to succeed in every aspect of her work and exemplifies excellence in her role as Treatment Coordinator for Gentle Dental Hervey Bay. Brooke ensures her patients have an easy transition from start to finish in their treatment journey.
Outside of work, Brooke spends a lot of time with her dog who is very spoilt. If she is not at work, she is with family or friends at cafes or sometimes going away camping.
Role: Dentist
Dr. Sona Sojan grew up in Tasmania and completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery at James Cook University in Cairns. Now based in Hervey Bay, she is committed to providing gentle care and creating a positive dental experience for every patient.
Sona enjoys working across various areas of dentistry, from preventative and restorative care to cosmetic treatments, with a focus on helping patients feel confident in their smiles. She is passionate about educating and supporting long-term oral health, ensuring that patients feel informed and comfortable with their treatment options.
Outside the clinic, Sona enjoys staying active and is a sucker for cheesy rom-coms. She’s excited to become a part of the Hervey Bay community and looks forward to building lasting relationships with patients and supporting them on their journey to a healthy, confident smile.
Role: Dentist
Dr. Jeremy Collins is a dedicated General Dentist committed to providing high-quality, patient-focused care. With a strong emphasis on prevention and long-term oral health, he takes a gentle and down-to-earth approach, ensuring patients feel comfortable and confident in their dental care.
Dr. Collins earned his Master’s in Dentistry from Griffith University on the Gold Coast and remains committed to continuous learning. By staying up to date with the latest advancements, he ensures his patients receive modern, high-quality care.
Dr. Collins values a balanced lifestyle. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and spending time with family and friends.
Role: Dentist
Dr. Golsa is a General Dentist and completed her Master of Dentistry at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Her healthcare journey began as a Registered Nurse several years ago, where she built a strong foundation in patient care. She values the importance of preventive dentistry and is dedicated to guiding patients of all ages through their oral health journey. With a calming demeanour, Dr. Golsa helps patients feel comfortable and at ease. Dr. Golsa is passionate about advancing her professional skills while also making time for her personal interests outside of dentistry. She looks forward to helping you and your family achieve healthier and happier smiles.
Role: Dentist
Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, Dr. Ebtesam completed his Bachelor of Dental Health Science and Master of Dentistry at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Now practising in Hervey Bay, he brings a calm and approachable style to every appointment, combining gentle care with a strong focus on prevention and long-term oral health.
Ebty enjoys working across all areas of general dentistry, from preventive and restorative care to minor oral surgery and cosmetic treatments. He is passionate about helping patients understand their oral health, making sure they feel informed, comfortable, and confident in their choices.
When he’s not in the clinic, Ebty can be found playing football, hitting the gym, or exploring new places. He’s excited to be part of the Hervey Bay community and looks forward to supporting patients in achieving lasting oral health and a smile they’re proud of.
Role: Dentist
Dr. Ray is a Canadian-Australian trained dentist with a doctorate of dental medicine from Perth, Western Australia following a bachelor of science from Toronto, Canada. Dr. Ray has served numerous diverse communities across Australia, including from the south coast of New South Whales to the mid north coast, the wine valleys of South Australia, regional Western Australia as well as Perth, WA.
By integrating the latest in dental technology with a meticulous eye for natural aesthetics, Dr. Ray ensures that every treatment plan is as unique as the individual, prioritising both long-term health and the confidence that comes with a great smile.
Role: Dentist
Dr Joshua Krieger graduated from James Cook University in Cairns with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
Following graduation, he spent some years practising in Toowoomba before relocating to Hervey Bay with his wife to be closer to home. Dr Josh grew up on a sugar cane farm near Childers and is proud to now be working in the local region.
Dr Josh enjoys all aspects of general dentistry and is committed to providing honest, patient-centred care. In 2026, he will commence a Diploma of Implantology to further expand his skills and knowledge in this area.
Outside of the clinic, Dr Josh loves spending time outdoors and has a strong passion for fishing.
Role: Dentist
Victoria graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Distinction from James Cook University in Cairns. She comes from a big family of dentists and is actually a third generation dentist herself.
Born in Buenos Aires and fluent in Spanish, Dr. Victoria grew up in Toowoomba QLD before relocating to Hervey Bay with her husband, Dr. Josh Krieger.
Dr. Victoria is passionate about providing high-quality dental care and values the individual journey she has with each patient. She loves to see the smile transformations and lasting relationships that can be built over time.
Outside the practice, Dr Victoria is a social butterfly who loves spending time with friends and family, exploring new coffee spots, staying active at the gym, and recently started learning piano. Dr Victoria looks forward to helping you achieve a healthy, confident smile.
Role: Dentist
Meet Dr Saleem Essop, your trusted dentist with a warm and gentle approach.
Born in South Africa and grew up in New Zealand.
He embarked on his dental journey at the University of Otago where he completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Anatomy and Physiology in 2012 followed by a Bachelor in Dentistry in 2017.
His passion for dentistry has allowed him to undertake extensive training in many countries including Canada, Australia and the US where he holds a board-certified Doctorate. He understands that most patients feel anxious and approaches them in a gentle and caring manner. Saleem finds joy in helping his patients overcome their dental fear while providing exceptional care which he prides himself on. He has a keen interest in restorative and surgical dentistry and enjoys having his patients involved in creating personally tailored treatment plans.
Apart from fixing teeth and improving smiles, Saleem enjoys rugby, fishing, travelling, and sampling local foods.
