Our Team
Meet Michael Whitford
Dental Surgeon
If Michael was a dental device, he would be a ‘slow speed handpiece’ – a reliable piece of equipment that’s useful in lots of different situations and just keeps on going!
Michael started working at Central Leederville Dental in 2004 before acquiring the practice in 2008. He previously worked as a chartered accountant and merchant banker before returning to university to study dentistry. This satisfied Michael’s long-held interest to work in the health professions.
Michael loves his patients and the relationships that he and his team have developed with them over the years. Whether he’s relieving someone’s pain, enhancing their smile or educating them on how to avoid future issues, Michael enjoys improving his patients’ health and helping them to feel better about themselves. Above all, he always wants to do the right thing for people.
An empathetic person, Michael finds it deeply satisfying to help patients overcome their phobias. Michael recalls a particular patient who was so fearful from a bad childhood experience that she hadn’t seen a dentist in years and was in tears in the waiting room. He worked with her to figure out how to make her more comfortable during her visits, including ‘happy gas’ (nitrous oxide) and a slow, considered approach.
Years later, this patient has come a long way with her oral health and now happily attends her regular dental check-ups – and is far more confident with her smile!
Special Interests
Michael’s special interests include cosmetic smile makeovers, rehabilitative dentistry and preventative dentistry.
In Michael’s Spare Time
Michael loves to spend time with his family, read and go running when he gets the chance. He and Gretchen have been happily married for over 20 years and have two boys, Patrick and Angus.
A keen golfer, Michael enjoys reading about the historical figures who’ve played this sport and would one day like to play some of the courses throughout Europe.
Meet Han Oh
Dental Surgeon
If Han was a dental device, he’d be a ‘digital scanner’, which captures images of your teeth so we can create a beautiful smile for you using our state-of-the-art CEREC software. Like much of what Han does with dental implants, it’s the perfect mix of artistry and technology.
Graduating from the University of WA in 2001, Han became part of the Central Leederville Dental team in 2010. He completed a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) from the University of Sydney in 2017 after deciding that he wanted to further his skills and knowledge in more complex dentistry.
Like Michael, Han’s approach to dental practice is to always put the patient’s needs and desires first by offering tailored solutions for each individual. He treats his patients as he would his own family and friends, with a focus on quality dental treatment.
Han recalls one patient who had barely any teeth and could only eat steak through a food processor. Over the course of months, he restored the patient’s entire smile and function with dental implants and he enjoyed his first meal with a knife and fork in three years – so rewarding for both Han and his patient!
Special Interests
Han’s special interests include full mouth rehabilitation, general dentistry, dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers and Invisalign® orthodontics.
In Han’s Spare Time
Known for his calm presence, Han enjoys spending time with his wife, Meredith, and their three children, Kaleb, Micah and Liesel. He also loves watching basketball and AFL, playing golf and gardening. His kids are slowly learning to become as big a West Coast Eagles fan as he is!
Han’s secret talents are cooking and woodworking. He likes working with his hands and has made furniture, a chook shed, go-karts and other useful things.
Meet Gretchen Whitford
Practice Manager
If Gretchen was a dental device, she would be the complimentary natural lip balm she makes for our patients… because she’s unexpected but useful!
Having done the payroll duties since Michael took over Central Leederville Dental, Gretchen ‘officially’ became Practice Manager in 2012 to help run the business side of things. Her background is in administration and she was once the youngest clerk in Sydney while working at a top criminal law chambers.
A people person, Gretchen’s role involves ensuring everything runs smoothly and supporting the staff in whatever capacity they need, including their wellbeing. She values open communication, being positive and using challenges to learn about herself and others.
Gretchen’s all-natural homemade lip balm is very popular with our patients! Made from WA beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil, what started as a Christmas treat soon became a practice staple. She’s always finding nice things to do for our staff and patients.
In Gretchen’s Spare Time
Gretchen loves spending time with Michael and their kids, going for long walks with their dog and cooking simple, good quality meals with a European or Asian bend.
Gretchen’s hobbies include sewing, horse-riding, gardening and reading everything from historical fiction to motivational and psychology books. She practises the ‘face yoga method’ every day, which is all about learning how to care for yourself and your skin through facial exercises. It’s quite meditative!