Our senior technicians actively partner with dentists as part of your extended team to provide a full-service experience that covers your entire lab workflow for one-stop convenience.
We achieve that through effective two-way communication between dentists and our senior technicians to ensure remakes are rare and patient outcomes are always top notch.
And our highly experienced team uses the most advanced skills and techniques to deliver consistent quality you can count on.
Richard joined Avant Dental in 2012 with a mission to modernise and expand its operations, and leveraged his extensive background in corporate finance and digital marketing to drive Avant Dental’s transformation into a world-class digital dental lab.
Avant Dental has achieved rapid growth under Richard’s leadership as he continues to build on the company’s strong foundation. He is focused on scaling the business to meet the evolving needs of the dental industry and allowing the technical team to focus on producing high-quality restorations while he manages the business.
Avant Dental was established in 1977 by Richard’s uncle, Carl Salter, a skilled dental technician. Carl initially built the business as a traditional dental lab, known for its commitment to quality and service. He later led the company’s expansion into international markets, forging partnerships with some of the top labs worldwide. Richard holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Economics from the University of Technology Sydney. He worked in equity markets before joining Avant Dental, where he gained extensive experience in the financial sector.
Outside of work, Richard is passionate about running, rugby, and skiing. A devoted Wallabies fan, he also enjoys skiing in North America, particularly in Colorado.
Ian has been a driving force behind Avant Dental’s technological and operational advancements. Since joining the company in 2014, he has leveraged his extensive experience to lead the lab team in pioneering innovative techniques in crown and bridge implants and removable prosthetic restorations. He plays a critical role in troubleshooting and providing expert advice to dentists on complex cases, ensuring that Avant Dental maintains our high standards of service and quality.
Ian’s career in the dental industry spans over five decades. He began as a Dental Technician in 1981 and quickly progressed to become Lab Manager and Lead Technician. Under the mentorship of Dr. Olbert Rogers OAM – a distinguished dental material scientist, surgeon and implant pioneer – Ian helped develop groundbreaking techniques in dental electroplating and implantology. These innovations not only earned international recognition but also set new standards that continue to influence the industry today. After honing his skills in Dr. Rogers’ lab, Ian operated his own dental laboratory for 25 years. During this time, he built a reputation for excellence, refined his communication skills, and developed a profound understanding of the practical challenges faced by dental professionals. This hands-on experience has been invaluable in his current role, where he continues to push the boundaries of dental technology.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ian is an avid surfer and golfer. He is particularly fond of the South Coast, where he enjoys retreating to his coastal getaway.
Anthony brings more than three decades of experience in dental technology to Avant Dental. In his role, he works closely with dentists to plan complex crown and bridge and implant restorations while helping ensure the laboratory maintains consistent clinical standards and reliable workflows.
Anthony holds a Diploma of Dental Technology and has spent 34 years working in a high-end Sydney CBD dental laboratory specialising in crown and bridge and implant restorations. During that time he developed deep technical expertise in implant case planning and complex restorative workflows. He also managed laboratory teams and built strong working relationships with dentists through clear communication and collaboration on treatment cases. At Avant Dental, Anthony discusses cases directly with dentists to help plan restorations for their patients and achieve the best possible restorative outcomes. He also plays an important role in maintaining quality control across the laboratory so that restorations leave the lab with consistency and reliability. This focus helps reduce chairside adjustments and remakes.
Outside the lab, Anthony enjoys spending time with his family, golfing on weekends, and kayaking. He is also a keen motorsports fan and admits to experiencing the occasional heart palpitation when the Bulldogs are playing.
Kylie is our in-house dentures expert, and provides critical advice and support to dentists on complex denture cases to ensure our denture solutions consistently achieve better patient outcomes.. She also oversees the daily running of the lab, manages a dedicated team, and ensures our operational processes are efficient and aligned with the technical needs of the dental industry.
Kylie grew up in Hong Kong and her journey in dentistry began in her family’s dental lab, where she worked closely with her father, Barry, a seasoned dental technician. She joined Avant Dental more than 10 years ago in a junior role in our plaster room and quickly became an invaluable member of the team. Her enthusiasm and desire to learn saw her master every aspect of lab operations, and she quickly moved up the ranks. Kylie holds an Advanced Diploma in Dental Prosthetics, which complements her extensive technical knowledge and hands-on experience as a dental prosthetist, specialising in dentures and splints.
In her personal time, Kylie is a passionate foodie with a love for exploring new restaurants and cuisines. She particularly enjoys Italian and Asian cuisines.
Hazel’s focus is on building strong, lasting relationships with our clients. That begins with guiding our clients through their onboarding process and continues with ensuring they receive tailored, on-going support.
She understands the specific clinical needs of dental practices and works hard to make certain the services we provide are aligned with those needs. Hazel brings more than two decades of experience in the dental industry to her current role at Avant Dental. She began her career in New Zealand as a dental auxiliary before moving into sales. Her expertise in the field led to a transfer to Sydney, where she worked for a dental distribution company. This was followed by a role with a dental manufacturer, where Hazel trained dealer networks and dental staff on surgical equipment. Her deep understanding of dental products and the needs of dental professionals made her a natural fit for this training role. Hazel moved on to join Colgate as an Oral Care Consultant, where she spent seven years working to secure professional endorsements. She then transitioned into marketing, contributing to the professional oral care team for over a year. Following a career break to raise her children, Hazel returned to the workforce with a role at a dental implant company before joining Avant Dental.
Outside of her professional life, Hazel has a passion for travel and yoga. She loves exploring new cultures and trying different cuisines.
Rina supports day-to-day operations at Avant Dental and ensures the laboratory runs smoothly and efficiently. Her focus is on maintaining consistent service standards, resolving issues quickly, and supporting systems that allow the team to deliver reliable outcomes for dental practices.
Rina brings almost eight years of experience in the dental industry to her role. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, which supports her structured and organised approach to operational management. Her work focuses on maintaining efficient workflows and the high standards expected by Avant Dental clients. In her role as Operations Manager, Rina supports problem resolution, maintains service consistency, and contributes to ongoing improvements that strengthen both internal processes and the client experience.
Outside of work, Rina enjoys spending time with her family and making the most of relaxed weekends together. She values simple moments with the people close to her, enjoys exploring new places, and likes finding practical ways to organise and improve everyday life.
