Clinical Advisory Committee
Led by dentists, for dentists.
Our Clinical Advisory Committee is made up of multiple senior National Dental Care group dentists, and practitioners from each State; ensuring the best practice in training and implementation.
Dr Antony Benedetto
Chair of the Clinical Advisory Committee
CAC Chairman, Dr Antony Benedetto, guides the committee as they regularly share advice on patient needs and clinical direction with National Dental Care's executive team. Antony, a lead dentist at National Dental Care Erina, believes the Clinical Advisory Committee provides vital clinician input to senior management as well as reassurance to dentists that patient outcomes are at the forefront of organisational planning. Antony obtained a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Bachelor of Dentistry from the University of Sydney and undertook further studies with an implant course in Cambodia and an exchange program in Japan. He has practised as a dentist for the past decade in Tamworth, Taree, and the Central Coast. Antony has also completed many Continuing Professional Development courses, with a particular interest in CAD/CAM digital dentistry. Antony enjoys helping people and finds solving their dental problems very satisfying. He performs a wide range of dental treatments, which means patients can have most of their concerns addressed in-house.
Dr Jill Fisher
Vice Chair of the Clinical Advisory Committee
CAC Queensland representative, Dr Jillian Fisher, is the Vice Chair of the Clinical Advisory Committee and Lead Dentist at National Dental Care, Chermside. She has worked at Chermside for the past two years and before that at Brisbane's Post Office Square practice for three years. Jillian believes it is an honour to have a voice in the Clinical Advisory Committee, which considers all perspectives and encourages robust discussion. Jillian is proud to bring the views of her Queensland cohort to the group and the executive team. Jillian's parents are dentists and she was a part-time dental assistant at 14, then a hygienist and therapist. She graduated from Griffith University in 2012 with first-class honours and worked for an orthodontist and a prosthodontist in her first two years out. Jillian is passionate about treating special-needs patients in general anaesthetic theatre in the practice. She sees their personalised care with the same practitioner as vital for reducing anxiety associated with hospital admissions.
Derek Shearer
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Executive Officer, Derek Shearer, is well known and admired for his collaborative skills which built his executive career in multi-national companies. His success in growing businesses with outstanding commercial results in the healthcare, hospitality and retail spheres, has come through in his ability to create and deliver effective strategic plans for business transformation. Derek has developed National Dental Care's strategic direction for Australia-wide growth in top-flight dental practices, with ongoing excellence in clinician training, cutting-edge technology, and a high level of patient care. His ability to collaborate at all levels of the organisation creates unique, customised best-practice systems and policies. These are patient-care-focused and scalable for further growth. Derek is also a well-regarded mentor and coach who demonstrates leadership in complex and dynamic environments, building his teams along with the business.
Dr Owen Jenkins
Lead Dentist (QLD Representative)
Dr Owen Jenkins graduated from the University of Bristol (UK) in 2002 and completed postgraduate training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontology and prosthodontics, before becoming a Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He has worked in private practice in Australia for over 20 years and has a special interest in dental implants, oral surgery and complex restorative dentistry. In 2019, he was awarded the Diploma in Implant Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Dr Sam Charbine
Lead Dentist (VIC Representative)
Dr Sam Charbine is Lead Dentist at National Dental Care Thompson Road, with almost three decades of clinical experience since 1997. Her postgraduate qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Implants), a Master of Science in Aesthetic Dentistry (London) and a Master of Science in Periodontology (Germany). Her clinical interests span implant dentistry, aesthetic dentistry and periodontal health, supported by ongoing advanced education in evidence-based techniques.
Dr Chris Iles
Lead Dentist (WA Representative)
Dr Chris Iles (BDS, MPharm) is a University of Liverpool graduate and lead dentist at DB Dental Innaloo, where he has practised for over 8 years. A general dentist with particular interests in minor oral surgery and prosthodontics, he takes a preventative approach focused on lifelong oral health. He is a member of the ADA, ASEWA and APS, with recent training in third molar removal and dental implant placement.
Dr Priya Amin
Lead Dentist (WA Representative)
Dr Priya Amin graduated from the University of Liverpool with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2008 before relocating to Perth in 2014. She has been proudly caring for patients at DB Dental Applecross ever since. Dr Priya enjoys treating patients of all ages, with a particular passion for caring for families and children. She has a strong focus on preventative dentistry and is dedicated to helping patients feel confident in their oral health through education and personalised care. Since joining the Clinical Advisory Committee in 2024, Dr Priya has enjoyed contributing to discussions on modern, evidence-based dentistry and the ongoing delivery of high-quality patient care.
Dr Michael Lucas
Lead Dentist (SA Representative)
Dr Michael Lucas is a highly experienced dentist with more than three decades of private clinical practice, having graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Adelaide in 1993. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise across all aspects of general dentistry, with particular interests in, cosmetic smile enhancement, ceramic restorations, dental implants, and preventative care. Dr Lucas is Lead Dentist at NDC Findon and takes a keen interest in mentoring younger Dentists.
Dr Nadine Samir
Lead Dentist (NSW Representative)
Dr Nadine Samir graduated from Sydney University in 1987, receiving the Edmund Charles Gates Memorial Prize for Proficiency in Orthodontics. Throughout her career Nadine has practiced in various locations in Sydney and Canberra, eventually establishing herself in her current location at Sydney CBD over 30 years ago. She has been a part of NDC for the past ten years. Nadine enjoys aesthetic dentistry, CadCam restorative and clear aligner treatments.
Dr Ben Kim
Lead Dentist (NSW Representative)
Dr Ben Kim graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Science (2010) and a Graduate Diploma of Dentistry (2012). He has practiced extensively across QLD and NSW, further building his clinical excellence by completing the Primary examinations with the prestigious Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. Passionate about advanced oral surgery, Dr Ben earned a Master’s degree in Third Molar Extraction and Implantology from Rome (cum laude, 2024), has twice completed intensive live surgical training in Mexico, and is currently completing his final Fellowship credentials with the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry (ASID).
Jesse Laugen
Oral Health Therapist (NSW Representative)
Jesse qualified as an Oral Health Therapist from Sydney University in 2011, going on to complete a Graduate Certificate in Dental Therapy at the University of Melbourne in 2017. Over fifteen years in clinical practice, he has worked across private family/cosmetic practices in South Yarra, Victoria and Double Bay, Sydney, developing a strong focus on periodontics, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, and family/general dental care. He has been at Apple Dental in Lane Cove - part of the National Dental Care network - since 2020.
