Dental Assistants

Sofia

Dental Assistant to Dr. Matt Sumner

Meet Sofia, Dr. Matt Sumner's Dental Assistant at Accent Dentists. With a background in professional piercing and a passion for helping people feel comfortable, Sofia brings a warm, friendly and reassuring approach to every appointment.

Currently studying to become an Oral Health Therapist, Sofia has a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry and loves being part of each patient's smile transformation. She believes great dental care is about more than just teeth - it's about building trust, helping patients feel at ease and making every visit a positive experience.

Sofia is also fluent in Tagalog, helping patients feel even more comfortable communicating in their preferred language.

  • My path into dentistry is a little unconventional! Before joining Accent Dentists, I worked as a professional piercer, so I'm no stranger to helping people feel calm before something a little nerve-wracking. That experience sparked my passion for caring for people and eventually led me into dentistry.

    I know dental appointments aren't everyone's idea of a fun day, especially with some rather scary-looking tools involved! My priority is making sure every patient feels heard, safe and comfortable from the moment they walk through the door.

    I genuinely love getting to know the people behind the smiles, whether that's chatting about your culture, travel plans or what you've been up to lately. I believe building these connections helps patients feel more relaxed and makes their experience that little bit easier.

    Working alongside Dr. Matt, I love being part of each patient's smile journey, from routine care to complete smile transformations. My favourite part is seeing someone's confidence grow and their face light up when they see their new smile for the first time.

    I'm also fluent in Tagalog, so if you'd feel more comfortable chatting in Tagalog, just let me know!

  • Outside the clinic, I'm a big foodie and love discovering new restaurants and trying different cuisines. I also have a creative side and enjoy drawing, sewing and baking, while ballet and volleyball keep me active.

    I'm really interested in different languages and cultures and am currently learning Mandarin Chinese, Korean and Japanese. It's something I love and another way to connect with people from different backgrounds.

    When I'm not out exploring or catching up with friends, you'll usually find me enjoying a cosy night in with my two much-loved cats, Uno and Umi!

Love your
Smile

Gemma

Dental Assistant to Dr. Matt Sumner

Gemma is Dr. Matt Sumner's Dental Assistant and has been an important part of the Accent Dentists team since 2020. Originally qualifying as a Dental Nurse in the UK in 2011, she has worked across specialist, private and NHS practices before bringing her experience to New Zealand.

With a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry, Gemma loves being part of helping patients achieve smiles they feel confident to share.

Gemma is currently on parental leave until 2027.

  • I know that visiting the dentist can sometimes feel overwhelming, so I always aim to create a calm, welcoming and supportive environment where every patient feels comfortable from the moment they arrive.

    Working alongside Dr. Matt, I love getting to know our patients and being part of their smile journey. Whether you're visiting for routine dental care or a complete smile transformation, I'm there to help make your experience as relaxed and positive as possible.

    One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing the confidence that comes from helping someone achieve a smile they're truly happy with. From the very first consultation through to the final result, I enjoy supporting patients every step of the way and helping create a positive experience they can feel confident about.

    I have a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry, and it's incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that helps patients achieve healthy, natural-looking smiles they'll love for years to come.

  • Originally from the UK, I've been fortunate to combine my love of travel with my career in dentistry. After qualifying as a Dental Nurse in 2011, I worked across specialist, private and NHS dental practices before travelling and continuing to work in both Australia and New Zealand. Experiencing different practices and healthcare systems has broadened my skills and strengthened my passion for providing personalised, high-quality patient care.

    Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and friends. You'll usually find me exploring New Zealand on camping and hiking trips, relaxing at the beach, or discovering new cafés and restaurants around Auckland.

Love your
Smile

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What Our Patients Say

320+ 5 star GOOGLE reviews

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  • VINCE

    “Thank you, Dr Matt and team for a caring, quality and personalised experience.

    Loving the results!!”

  • Stephen

    “Exceptional, top notch service - I’ve absolutely no hesitation in recommending the team at Accent Dentistry. Matt is a real craftsman with a great eye for detail and was ably assisted by the super-organised Jen.”

  • Maddy

    “Dr Matt Sumner absolutely exceeded all my expectations. He listened to my concerns, reassured me and made me feel comfortable the whole time. His attention to detail is exceptional and I couldn't be happier with the job he has done.”

  • lily

    “Dr Matt and his team have been fantastic during my treatment process the last couple weeks. Jade was fantastic and prompt with quickly getting assistance sorted with my wisdom teeth removal and offered great support. Dr Matt was fantastic during my fillings- he was very patient, calm and created a safe and secure environment.”

  • Corradino

    “Matt was very kind and professional throughout my treatment. I had a serious tooth infection and he explained clearly what was happening at every appointment and during the extraction, which really helped me feel calm and confident. Highly recommend.”

  • Rebekah

    “I went to see Matt and his team for a consultation for composite veneers. The staff were lovely and Matt was very open and honest about about what he could do for me. Overall really happy with my experience!”

  • Ana

    “I had my teeth cleaned by Kira and she was absolutely amazing - I left with my teeth looking the best they have in ages! Kira is incredibly gentle but still very thorough and effective. You can tell she’s genuinely passionate about her work and about helping patients take better care of their dental health.”