Dr Simon Templeman has spent 14 years building something special at Simply Dental — and a career working to keep patients out of the dentist’s chair. While most dentists measure success in treatments delivered, Simply Dental’s lead dentist measures it differently — in the work his patients don’t end up needing.
Prevention is the point
Simon has spent two decades in dentistry. In that time he’s developed a philosophy that might surprise you.
“I always wanted to be a dentist that helped people to really avoid needing dentistry — which seems like a strange thing to say.”
“But the fact is, the value you get from hygiene care alone is huge. Your fillings will last longer, your gums will be much healthier, you’ll have more confidence that your teeth are going to remain as they are for longer.”
“When I joined Simply Dental, I could see a genuine opportunity to help people look after themselves, to minimise their future need for dentistry.”
That’s the foundation the whole Simply Dental practice is built on.
“It’s a bit like the tyres on your car. Even if you’re a careful driver, your tyres will eventually wear down and need replacing. If you’ve got fillings in your mouth, fillings will not last forever. Most fillings last about 10 years if you’re lucky. The more work you have done, the more maintenance that’s required.”
The alternative — staying on top of small issues before they become big ones — costs less in the long run and keeps patients in control of their own dental health.
That’s the pitch, and it’s one Simon has been making for his entire career.
“We do things differently at Simply Dental,” he says. “But when people have engaged with our philosophy, so often they will come back and say, ‘I’m so glad I’ve done this. I’ve ended up needing much less dental work than I would have.”
From Newcastle to Lambton Quay
Simon trained at the University of Newcastle in the UK — drawn to dentistry, he says, by the combination of craft and science.
“I enjoyed art and I enjoyed creating things with my hands,” he says. “Something that’s technical and hands-on, and that also has a background in medical sciences — that seemed to make sense to me.”
After graduating he spent time in hospital oral surgery before travelling through Asia and Australia. He arrived in Wellington on a working holiday visa with no particular plan to stay.
But Wellington changed that.
“We just sort of fell in love with Wellington really. The holiday visa ended, but we decided to extend that and continue working here.”
A mutual colleague introduced him to Rachel and Robin, Simply Dental’s original founders. It was an immediate fit — professionally and personally. The conversation, Simon says, made it obvious.
“Our paths and our values aligned so much,” he says. A partnership was formed, and when the dentist previously working from the AMI Plaza premises retired in 2012, the three of them took over the practice together.
In the years since, Simply Dental has grown into one of Wellington’s most respected dental practices — known as much for its philosophy as for its clinical care.
The team behind the practice
One of the things Simply Dental patients notice — and mention — is the consistency of the team. Simon, along with the wider clinical and support staff, have worked together for well over a decade. In a profession where staff turnover is common, that kind of stability is genuinely valuable.
Simon is clear about why it matters.
“When you have a stable, consistent team, you have a team that communicates well and delivers a consistent standard of care. Every clinician is giving patients the same message — you always know what to expect from us.”
Care at Simply Dental is collaborative by design. Treatment plans are shared, discussed, and handed over carefully between clinicians. A patient seeing Simon for one aspect of their care and Oferia for another will never feel like they’re getting mixed messages.
“We’re all on the same page,” he says. “No one’s going to be surprised by a treatment decision that another clinician has made, because we have a cohesive, cooperative approach.”
“First and foremost, it’s about the patient. It’s about helping them to look after themselves and keep their mouths healthy.”
A special interest in orthodontics
Deep into a busy general dental career, Simon is still adding to his skill set. He’s currently midway through a postgraduate diploma in orthodontics — no small undertaking for a practitioner with a full patient load.
The motivation, he says, is finding a way to bring a higher level of orthodontic care in-house — without abandoning the general dentistry he loves.
“The opportunity I can see is bringing a genuinely high standard of orthodontic care in-house that goes well beyond the basics — expanding what we can offer patients without compromising the general dentistry we’re known for.”
The result will be an orthodontic offering that can take on the more complex cases that might otherwise require a referral to a specialist orthodontist.
For patients, that will mean more choice, greater continuity of care, and the reassurance of being treated by a clinician who knows their full dental history.
Why Simply Dental
All of it — the philosophy, the team, the expanded services — comes back to one thing: the patient in the chair.
“Whatever your mouth is like, we’re here to help,” says Simon. “We’re not there to judge. We will never make people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed of their current situation.”
He’s equally direct about what the first appointment actually looks like. “When I see someone for the first time, my aim is to say: what does this person want from their treatment? Their main priority might be that they want to be able to chew properly, or they may want to look great in their daughter’s wedding photos.”
“The starting point is always making sure we hear the patient and are meeting their needs.”
For patients with dental anxiety, that approach matters. Simon notes that the conversation around anxiety has shifted. “People are better at recognising and discussing it now. There used to be a stigma, whereas nowadays it’s not unusual for people to be upfront about it.”
Simply Dental offers sedation services for those who need additional support to get through treatment comfortably.
The first appointment, Simon says, is often simply a conversation — taking stock, making a plan, and understanding where things stand. No pressure, and no rush.
“Even if you’re not quite ready to start treatment, at least you’ll know where you stand. And that’s always the best place to begin.”
Dr Simon Templeman is lead dentist and business partner at Simply Dental, located at Level 3, AMI Plaza, 342 Lambton Quay, Wellington CBD. Simply Dental is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Ready to book? You can make an appointment online by clicking here or call us on 04 473 9283 or 0800 123 343.