Meet Dr. Caleb Lawrence, a specialist orthodontist trained in New Zealand and one of just three Maori (Ngāti Hine/Ngāti Maniapoto) specialists registered with the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists. His journey into dentistry began with a childhood dream that led him to Dunedin after high school, where he pursued a Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) at the University of Otago, graduating in 2012.
Since earning his degree in 2018, at the University of Otago, and welcoming twin boys in early 2019, Caleb's been all over New Zealand, gaining experience in various practices. Regardless of the practice he was at, he is always known for his dedication to building strong relationships with his patients and their whānau, being personable and fun and emphasizing a high standard of care and attention to detail throughout his orthodontic practice.
Outside the office, Caleb's a family guy through and through. He loves exploring new spots and making memories with his crew, especially enjoying the great outdoors with his active boys, and even more active girl. Caleb also has a love for travel and experiencing diferent cultures, especially through their cuisines. Sports, particularly rugby and rugby league, hold a special place in his heart, with a big “up the wah’s!” It is his hope is to continue servicing the Northland community and truly making a diference!
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After graduation, Caleb stayed on at the university as a dental house surgeon before heading across the ditch to Queensland, Australia, where he worked in both public and private sectors for a few years. In 2016, he was accepted into the orthodontic residency program at the University of Otago, where he completed his Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent Orthodontics) over the next three years.
“Kia ora e te whānau. I’m thrilled to welcome you and your whānau to our practice. Here, we take great pride in offering exceptional, patient-centered care. As a whānau-owned and run business, our goal is to create a practice where you and your child truly feel at home. As treatment typically taking a couple of years, I love seeing our patients grow and mature into confident individuals who become part of our extended whānau. I look forward to meeting each of you personally and ensuring your orthodontic experience is not only enjoyable for you, but also a fun, welcoming experience with good banter! Mā te wā!”
Miri
Front office smile coordinator
Miri joined us in 2022 as our front of house coordinator following a career change, and she quickly learned the ropes. She’s often the first friendly voice you hear when you call and the first warm smile you see when you enter our clinic. On any given day, you’ll fnd Miri welcoming patients both over the phone and in person, scheduling appointments, chatting with our whānau in the waiting room, and generally bringing the vibe. Her passion for people is clear from the many patients who adore her.
“Kia Ora, g'day, goeie dag! After living all around the globe, I not long ago moved back from Brisbane to the stunning Aotearoa to be close to my whānau—especially my cheeky, energetic grandchildren. When I do fnd some spare time (which is rare!), you’ll catch me chasing after my kids (both big and small), sneaking in a nana nap, or getting lost in a good book. I truly enjoy meeting everyone who becomes part of our family here and can’t wait to get to know all of you!”
Jodie
Orthodontic clinical superstar
Jodie joined our team at start of 2024 but we quickly realized she was the missing puzzle piece we were looking. Her extensive experience in dentistry is a wonderful asset to the Caleb Lawrence Orthodontics whānau and she is looking to continue her training to becoming an Orthodontic auxiliary. Her bubbly, caring nature, instantly puts everyone at ease. As Caleb’s right hand in the clinic, she not only assists with taking orthodontic records and working in the lab but also helps keep everything running smoothly.
“Kia ora e te whānau. I’m passionate about discovering new things, diving into a good book, and spending quality time with whānau and friends outside of work. I enjoy exploring new hiking trails, though my relationship with the gym is a bit of a love/hate afair I’m excited to connect with everyone and dive back into my role as an orthodontic assistant, which is truly my passion.”
Dee
Practice manager
Meet Dee, our dedicated Practice Manager who has been an integral part of our team from the very beginning. Starting of as a receptionist/ chair-side assistant/ social media coordinator, Dee played a vital role in building our practice with Caleb, from the ground up. While you don't see Dee all the time, as she is more often working behind the scenes, she handles invoices, coordinates treatment payment schedules, addresses patient queries with
care, and makes sure that both our team and patients are content and well taken care of. Dee’s most treasured role is being māmā to her three little helpers, so when she’s not at the practice, you’ll fnd her trying to keep up with them.
“Kia ora, nau mai ki tō mātou whānau! We’re thrilled to have you with us and can’t wait for you to feel at home in our space. Our practice has been lovingly created to be warm and inviting, with our entire team here to make you feel like you’re part of a second family. Often, when you do see me, I might have my little tornados with me, but I am never too busy to help, especially when it comes to treatment queries or working with you when it comes to your accounts. We’re really looking forward to the prospect of meeting you!”