Our Dental Staff

Dr Kyle Mervin

B.Sc(Hons); PhD; B.Dent (Syd)

Dr Kyle Mervin is the mastermind behind the concept of Riverside Dental Spa, seeded by his interest in facial aesthetic treatments. He was the first dentist on the Central Coast to be using antiwrinkle injections, lip fillers and facial aesthetic treatments. His head and neck anatomy knowledge started with an undergraduate Science degree majoring in anatomy. He then went on to complete a PhD in the anatomy department where he supported himself by teaching anatomy to medical students, and of course then his dental degree. He went on the become a trainer at the Australasian Academy of Dentofacial Aesthetics where he taught national and international dentists for several years.

Kyle thinks “outside the square” and challenges the team to consider better ways of doing, well, everything. He is enthusiastic about new technologies and advances in the field of dentistry and loves learning the latest techniques.

In his undergraduate years Dr Mervin was a professional sprinter, with long curly locks. (Clearly he ran so fast his hair couldn’t hold on!) His most recent adventures led him to snapping his Achilles tendon when attempting to demonstrate to his children how to ride a mechanical bull. His rodeo days were over before they began so now he prefers to spend his spare time at home with his wife, 3 kids and Pomeranian (Obiwan Kenobi) singing enthusiastically on the home karaoke machine.

Dr Nicole Floyd

B.Med.Sc(Hons); PhD; B.Dent (Hons)(Syd)

Dr Nicole Floyd is inspirational and was described as “a bossssss” by Tanya Hennessy in her viral YouTube video on dentists. She is the queen of the juggling act of life. Nicole manages to be an amazing dentist (and therapist sometimes) to her loyal patients, a fabulous boss lady who inspires her staff to be their “best selves”, a loving mummy to her 3 young children (and staff sometimes) and a great friend. Everyone feels special, appreciated and heard around Nicole.

In a previous life, as a PhD carrying neuroscientist (like Amy on Big Bang Theory), Nicole studied at Washington University (St Louis, MO) which is in the top five medical schools in the USA. After she returned to Australia to complete her Bachelor of Dentistry (with honours) Nicole worked as a dentist in a practice in Northmead where she had worked as a dental assistant for 15 years. She also taught dental students for several years at the University of Sydney in restorative dentistry and root canal therapy.

Somewhere in there she managed to have 3 children in under 3 years, move to the Central Coast and open a brand new dental surgery from scratch. When she is not at work Nicole is taking her kids to after school activities and making school lunches. Nicole loves nothing more than a weekend catchup with friends and family – a BBQ with 20 kids all running around the backyard.

Dr James Scott

B.Sc (Hons); B.Dent (Syd)

Dr James Scott is seemingly unflappable and has a keen interest in orthodontics. James is one of the quieter members of the team but incredibly quick witted and often has us in stitches. James completed a Bachelor in Science as well as a Bachelor in Dentistry at the University of Sydney and worked in Newcastle before joining the team at RDS. His calming demeanour puts even the most anxious patient at ease.

After some recent home renovations James has conceded that his skills definitely lay in rebuilding smiles and not in rebuilding houses. He enjoys the detailed work involved in composite veneers and aesthetic dentistry. Creativity, attention to detail and his fine motor skills are the three traits that allows Dr Scott to achieve amazing clinical outcomes for his patients.

James is a doting dad to Olivia and Harry and has a new baby due in August. On weekends he enjoys cooking for his family and getting sandy at the beach. His creative side was also expressed in his interpretive dance of Daryl Braithwaite’s “The horses” which still lives on as a Christmas party legend.

Dr AJ Ambikairajah

B.Dent (Syd), B.Sc (Syd), Grad Dip Dent Implantology (CSU)

Dr AJ Ambikairajah was born in Ireland and emigrated to Australia in 1999. He completed a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Dentistry degrees at the University of Sydney. His Irish accent (and sense of humour) is still strong and the more excited Dr AJ becomes, the stronger his accent gets! With really exciting treatment plans, Dr AJ has to calm himself down so that the staff and patients can still understand him!

Dr AJ loves a chat and really enjoys the time he has with his patients discussing different treatment options and educating patients on oral health. He has a special interest in implants and has completed a Graduate Diploma in Implantology at Charles Sturt University. Continuing education and continuously upgrading his skills is what Dr AJ is passionate about.
He is caring and gentle and loves to tackle challenging dental issues.

Away from the practice, Dr AJ is married with 2 little girls. He enjoys playing Barbies and having tea parties (with the soccer or rugby on the tv in the background).

Dr Tony Collins AM

BDS (Syd), BA (UNE), Mast Clin Prac (Implants) UWS

Dr. Tony Collins AM is a pioneer of implant dentistry in Australia. Placing his first implant in 1986 (still in function), he served as Federal President of the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry (ASID) for twelve years. He was instrumental in having implant dentistry introduced as a distinct subject in the Dental Faculties of Queensland, Melbourne, Western Australia, Adelaide, and Griffith Universities. Further to this, he lectured in implant dentistry at these faculties for over five years. This, plus his charity fund-raising and overseas volunteer dentistry in Timor Leste and the slums of Madagascar, earned him Membership of the Order Of Australia (AM) for ‘Services to dentistry and to the community.’

He also lectured at international meetings in the UK, US, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Fiji. He is a Fellow and Diplomat of the International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI) and previous Director of the Asia-Pacific Section of ICOI.

He was Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of New England, teaching Implant surgery and head and neck anatomy to postgraduate dentists and doctors. For over 20 years, he organised and ran annual ASID postgraduate training courses, training several thousand dentists in implant dentistry.

In his spare time, Dr. Collins enjoys running and cycling with his wife, Jan. Don’t be fooled though, he has partaken in Ultramarathons and ran from Sydney to Melbourne five times (holding the record for Sydney to Melbourne AND BACK). He helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for research into children’s cancer at Camperdown and Westmead Hospitals. He also holds numerous national and international running records, including six times national 48-hour track-running champion and a national 6-day track-running championship.

Dr Monique Romei

B.Dent (Syd), B.Med.Sc(USyd)

Dr Monique Romei has been practicing dentistry on the Central Coast since 2008. She has a gentle and calm manner to help patients feel at ease. Monique feels it is important to enable anxious patients to feel comfortable when visiting the dentist. She takes the time to explain things and answer questions.

Dr Romei completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Bachelor of Dentistry at the University of Sydney. She has a special interest in orthodontics, as well as aesthetic dentistry, such as veneers.

Dr Romei lives on the Central Coast with her husband and two rescue dogs, Casper and Zoe. In her spare time, she enjoys bushwalking, cooking, cake decorating, and reading fiction. She is currently learning pottery and knitting, and when she’s not busy doing those things, she loves to travel!

Dr Karenza Don Paul

BMedSc, BDent

Dr Karenza Don Paul graduated from the University of Sydney in 2006 and has been working on the Central Coast for nearly ten years.

During the course of her career, Karenza has come to enjoy all aspects of dentistry especially working with nervous patients, as she finds it particularly rewarding helping them through their anxieties. Patient care is her biggest priority, and she hopes to make patients feel at ease. She also enjoys the educational side of dentistry and helping patients to understand dental procedures.

Outside of work, Karenza enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her two boys.

Mr Robert Wegner

Dental Prosthetist

Rob joined the Riverside Dental Spa team as the in-house denture specialist – making, adjusting and relining dentures. Rob has spent his career working as a dental technician joining the Australian Dental Prosthetist Association in 2007 and becoming a certified Prosthetist in 2009.

He brings a wealth of dental experience and knowledge from his family owned and operated denture clinic that has been established on the Central Coast for over 30 years. Rob produces the highest quality of denture work and his attention to detail ensures he creates the most aesthetic result for his patients.

In his spare time, Rob enjoys fishing, 4WD, and spending time with his wife and two young children.

Miss Skye Swan

Dental Hygienist

Has been working in the dental industry for the past eight years as a dental assistant.

During this time she has developed skills in both general and cosmetic dentistry, administration and in mentoring trainee Dental Assistants.

In 2013 Skye graduated from Bachelor of Oral Health pursing her career as a Dental Hygienist.

Skye is enthusiatic about oral health and preventative dentistry and her goal is to ensure that her patients are educated in oral hygiene and are able to enjoy “dental health” as a result.