Dr Meredith Metin
Principal Dentist
Hi, I’m Dr Meredith Metin, and I’ve been looking after smiles for more than 25 years. Dentistry, to me, is about so much more than teeth—it’s about caring for people. Guided by honesty, empathy, and respect, I take a gentle approach that helps my patients feel safe, understood, and supported throughout their dental journey.
I graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Dental Science in 1996 and have since dedicated my career to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and personalised care that reflects both my professional expertise and my commitment to doing what is right for each patient.
I enjoy every aspect of general and cosmetic dentistry, but I also have a special interest in helping people with jaw muscle pain and TMJ issues, as well as in dento-facial aesthetics. Whether it’s relieving discomfort or helping someone feel more confident in their appearance, I always focus on achieving natural, gentle, and positive results—with your wellbeing at the heart of everything I do.
Outside of the clinic, I’m proud to call Hobsons Bay home. I live here with my husband and two boys, and when I’m not at work, you’ll often find me out walking my cheeky Shihtzu, Lenny, along the Strand or Williamstown beach.
Dr Amisha Hindocha
Dentist
She obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2013 from King’s College London Dental Institute (UK) and continued her post-graduate study in the field of Orthodontics and Orthopaedics in Sydney at the International Academy of Advanced Dentistry (IAADENT). In 2021 she obtained her Diploma of Sleep Medicine and TMJD (jaw joint disorders) from the University of Jaume, Spain.
She specialises in designing smiles using minimally invasive techniques, blending cosmetic smile design with orthodontic solutions such as Invisalign. Dr. Amisha provides personalised care to patients of all ages, with a particular emphasis on holistic health principles, ensuring each smile is unique and beautiful.
Dedicated to ongoing postgraduate training she has studied:
- Orthopaedics – focusing on early intervention strategies to reduce the need and where possible prevent tooth extractions in developing children.
- Orthodontics – levelling and aligning teeth with both fixed braces and Invisalign.
- Sleep Medicine – addressing issues such as sleep-disordered breathing, sleep apnea, and snoring in adults and children.
Dr Cindy Lay
Dentist
Hi, I’m Dr Cindy Lay, and I take pride in providing gentle and comfortable dentistry for our community. As a true local, it’s important to me that my patients feel supported and cared for every step of the way.
I completed my Doctor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne and believe dentistry should always be patient-centred. I love helping people understand their oral health and feel confident about their smiles. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is supporting anxious patients and helping them see dentistry in a new light—where it feels stress-free and positive.
I find real fulfilment in restorative, paediatric, and preventative dentistry, and I’m committed to staying up to date through continuing education so I can always provide the best care possible.
Outside of the clinic, you’ll usually find me at pilates, catching up with family and friends, tending to my growing collection of plants, or spending time with my new puppy.
Dr Claudia Beltran
Dentist
Dr. Claudia Beltran qualified as a Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Colombia in 2005.
Upon completing her master’s degree, she established her private practice, providing a full range of surgical services to patients, such as implant surgery, orthognathic surgery, surgical extractions, including wisdom teeth, and treatment of facial trauma.
An opportunity to broaden her horizons and experience the Australian lifestyle led Claudia to move to Australia and then she successfully obtained her Australian Dental Board registration as a general practitioner.
Claudia continued to further her knowledge in dental Implants and all-on-X surgery. She had the opportunity to travel to Portugal and complete the clinical residency from the creator of the All-on-4 concept. She has been practising it in Australia since then. She also obtained a graduate diploma in dental implants from James Cook University.
Dr Claudia is a member of ADA (Australian Dental Association), ITI (International Team for Implantology), (IAOMS) The International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, ACCOMF (oral and maxillofacial association of Colombia), and AOS (Australasian Osseointegration Society).
Currently, Dr. Claudia’s interests include wisdom teeth extractions, complex extractions, implant surgery, All-on-X surgery, bone grafting, sinus lifts, surgical exposure of impacted teeth, and dentoalveolar surgery. She is also accredited at the Avenue and Glenferrie Private Hospitals for general anaesthetic procedures. Claudia’s passion for her work is palpable, and it reassures her patients of her unwavering commitment and dedication. Despite her demanding profession, she always finds time for her other passions: her family, travelling, and playing tennis.
Daylan Carstens
Oral Health Therapist
Daylan, our Oral Health Therapist (OHT) embarked on his career in oral health care at La Trobe University Bendigo, earning his Bachelor of Oral Health Science with extended adult scope in 2010. This qualification enables him to provide a wide variety of treatments including examinations, tooth cleaning and fillings, for both children and adults. He has more than 10 years experience as an Oral Health Therapist in private dental practices in Melbourne.
In his role as an OHT, Daylan has dedicated himself to delivering exceptional care to his patients. He works closely with the dentists at Portside Dental to ensure that each patient receives personalized care tailored to their dental health needs. This collaborative effort guarantees that our patients consistently receive the highest standard of care. Daylan’s warm demeanour creates an environment where patients feel comfortable and at ease.
Daylan recognises the critical role OHTs play in promoting oral health and providing preventive and therapeutic dental care for children. With a dedicated focus on early intervention and education, he works closely with children and their parents to achieve optimal oral health outcomes.
Daylan is also a Hobsons Bay local and outside of work loves spending time with his wife and three children, as well as travelling and keeping fit.
Nardeen Saad
Oral Health Therapist
Nardeen graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Oral Health in 2017. She has also completed her extended adult scope course to allow her to work with patients of any age. Since graduating, she has had experience working in both public and private settings, giving her ample experience in working with a wide variety of patients with different treatment needs. Although she has thorough training in working with kids, she enjoys working with patients of all ages, putting them at ease and ensuring they are made to feel comfortable during their visits with her kind and gentle nature. She is aware the dentist is not everyone’s favourite place to be so she loves making the first visit to the dentist a memorable one, and enjoys working with anxious patients to build their confidence so that they are comfortable enough to return.
She can perform a wide range of treatment types including, but not limited to, oral hygiene instruction, examination/radiographs for all ages, dental cleans, fissure sealants, fillings, whitening and assistance in orthodontic treatment when required. She has a strong focus on prevention of decay and gum diseases, and likes to assist in detecting the signs of when early orthodontic intervention may benefit children to minimise the invasive treatment needed down the track. In order to maintain an exceptional standard of patient care, Nardeen likes to stay up to date with continuous professional development courses.
In her spare time, Nardeen likes to read, spend time with family and friends, as well as discover new walking tracks with her cavoodle, Leo.
Rachael Jones
Co-Founder and Practice Manager
Rachael’s impressive journey from dental assistant to practice manager is a testament to her dedication and hard work. Throughout her 30 year career in the dental industry, she has prioritised creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for patients, as well as fostering a positive work culture for her staff.
Rachael’s passion for patient care is evident in her management of Portside Dental, where she works tirelessly to ensure that every patient feels welcomed and cared for. And by creating a happy and supportive work environment, she ensures that her staff are equally invested in providing the highest quality care to their patients.
In addition to her wealth of experience, Rachael’s qualifications in dental assisting and practice management are a testament to her commitment to professional development. She has completed the Australian Dental Association’s Dental Assisting program, as well as her Certificate 4 in Practice Management with the University of New England, which demonstrates her ongoing dedication to improving her skills and knowledge.
Rachael’s expertise in practice management software is another asset to her professional toolkit. As a trainer for the Victorian and Tasmanian region with Centaur Software, she was responsible for teaching dental staff and professionals how to effectively use the Dental 4 Windows software program, which can help to streamline and improve the efficiency of dental practices. Needless to say this is an invaluable benefit for Portside Dental.
Rachael lives locally in the inner west with her husband, daughter and pooch, Sonny! – Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring new places and eating at all the fabulous restaurants around the inner west. She is actively involved in social and fundraising events at her daughter’s school.
