Meet our Team
at Capital Periodontics and Dental Implants
Periodontists at Capital Periodontics and Dental Implants are members of the Division of Periodontics (Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons), the Australian Society of Periodontology, the Australian Dental Association, the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Periodontists, and the International Team of Implantology.
Dr Richard Evans
Periodontist - BDS MDSc FRACDS (Perio) FICD
After his school years in Canberra, Richard gained his Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Sydney in 1983. After working at Westmead Hospital, Richard completed a Masters programme in Periodontics at the University of Queensland in 1987. Richard has been practicing as a periodontist in Canberra since 1988 gaining a FRACDS (perio) by examination in 2000. In 2013 Richard became a Fellow of the International College of Dentists (FICD).
Richard is a past president of the ACT Dental Group, past secretary/treasurer of the Australian Society of Periodontology and was a past chairman of the Board of the Division of Periodontics of the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons.
Away from Capital Periodontics Richard likes to travel with his family, studies part-time at the ANU and, when time allows, plays golf. He is an ardent supporter, through thick and thin, of the Canberra Raiders.
Dr Belinda Hasegawa
Periodontist
Dr. Belinda Hasegawa was born and raised in Sydney, NSW, receiving her Bachelor of Dentistry with Honours from the University of Sydney in 2006. Upon graduation, Belinda was awarded the Dean's Prize for Clinical Excellence in Periodontics.
After working in private practice and undertaking the role of clinical educator at Sydney Dental and Westmead Hospitals, Belinda completed her specialist training at Griffith University, Queensland, receiving her Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontology) in 2013. During her tenure, Belinda developed a special interest in complex regeneration cases for the periodontally compromised patient. Her research interests include tissue engineering, nanotopography and predictability of guided bone regeneration.
Belinda is an active member of several organizations including:
• Australian Society of Periodontology (previously served as Executive ASP NSW)
• Australian and New Zealand Academy of Periodontists
• International Team for Implantology
• Australian Dental Association (previously served as ADA NSW Councillor)
Belinda is an avid tennis player and keen traveller in her spare time, being able to speak Mandarin, Hokkien dialect and Japanese.
Dental hygienists work closely with our periodontists to provide integrated dental care. They provide individual oral hygiene care and instruction to patients.
Hygienists perform a range of non-surgical procedures to enhance your oral heath, or to treat and manage Periodontitis.
These procedures include:
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Scaling teeth
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Root planing
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After surgical care
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Periodontal maintenance, including professional cleaning
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X-rays, including OPG x-rays
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Oral hygiene care and instruction
Margo Townsend
Dental Hygienist
Margo obtained a Certificate of Dental Nursing at University College Hospital in London, and went on to complete the National Diploma in Dental Hygiene at London’s Royal Dental Hospital, London. After working in New Guinea and Pakistan, Margo settled in Sydney where she completed the Certificate of Oral Health, and the Dental Hygienist Registration Examination for New South Wales.
Margo joined Capital Periodontics in 1993 and since then has completed the Local Anaesthesia Course for hygienists and has been on the executive committee of the Dental Hygienist Association for a number of years.
Melanie Cruise-Hancock
Dental Hygienist
After completing a Certificate in Dental Assisting, Melanie undertook additional training, including a Diploma in Dental Hygiene, a Certificate in Radiography and an Oral Surgery Course through London Hospitals.
Melanie joined the team at Capital Periodontics in 2004.
In her spare time, she keeps active, playing netball and oz tag, travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Sandra Lang
Dental Hygienist
Sandra Lang was welcomed to the friendly Capital Periodontics and Dental Implants team as an experienced Dental Hygienist. Originally from the USA, Sandra completed her Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) in 1987 from the University of Minnesota.
Prior to moving to Australia, Sandra spent time working in general practices across Minneapolis (MN) and Aspen (CO) and also in a periodontal practice in Zurich, Switzerland. She initially joined Capital Perio in 1997 where she worked for 3 years before returning in 2015.
As a Hygienist, Sandra is passionate about motivating and educating her patients about the importance of great oral health. She loves getting to know each of her patients and making them feel comfortable through a professional yet personal dental experience.
Sandra keeps up to date with her professional development by attending yearly development days in the ACT as well as the National Dental Hygiene Conference. She has been a member of the Australian Dental Hygiene Association since 1997.
In her spare time, Sandra enjoys discovering new places for walks and food.
Claire Long
Dental Hygienist
Experienced dental hygienist, Claire Long, was welcomed to the Capital Periodontics and Dental Implants team in 2009. Claire initially completed her Dental Hygiene studies in Adelaide before moving to Sydney in 2000 to begin her career. After gaining valuable experience she relocated to Canberra joining the friendly and passionate team at Capital Periodontics.
Claire brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to her role having worked in general dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics and oral maxillofacial surgery. She is also furthering her studies and completing her final year in her Bachelor of Health Science.
Outside her clinical role at Capital Periodontics, you will find Claire exploring Canberra’s mountains, drinking chai at a local café or travelling the world seeking her next adventure.