Thamarai Mathiyalagan
Dr. Thamarai Mathiyalagan is currently working as a Senior Dentist at Bass Coast Regional Health Dental Clinic. Dr. Thamarai
joined in 2002 and rose through the ranks to the current position.
In addition, occasionally on a need-to-work basis she assists her dentist husband Dr. Mathy Mathiyalagan at their family owned
"A Better Dental Care", which is situated at the heart of Berwick town centre and functioning since March 2005.
Dr. Thamarai was born and brought up in Sri Lanka, known as the pearl of Indian Ocean, and completed her undergraduate
dental science with high distinctions at the prestigious University of Peradeniya in 1998. Upon her completion of the
undergraduate degree, she commenced her career with private dental clinics in Sri Lanka. These experiences gave opportunities
to learn and carry out the general dental procedures more efficiently and effectively. These experiences, ranging from diagnosing
and treatment planning of orthodontic cases to execute minor oral surgical procedures, also made her to handle patients with care,
intelligently and professionally.
Subsequently, in 1999 Dr Thamarai along with her dentist husband Dr. Mathy established their own dental practice in the heart of
Colombo, the Capital city of Sri Lanka, and operated with high level of patients' satisfaction till she successfully passed the
examinations held by the Australian Dental Council in 2001. This led her to take up her first overseas job in Australia.
With sound three years of clinical experience in Sri Lanka, Dr. Thamarai commenced her exciting career in Victoria,
Australia in the month of August 2001.
Since then she gained experience in using various state of art dental equipments and the up-to-date clinical practices while
discharging her duties at private dental practices and community dental services. Her career in Victoria spans from rural to
urban areas of Victoria. Dr. Thamarai's multi-facet clinical experience, three years in Sri Lanka and eight years in Australia,
encouraged her to partner with her dentist husband Dr. Mathy to venture into their private practice in Australia.
In her 11 years of professional dental career, Dr. Thamarai has completed more than 200 hours on Continuing Professional
Development focusing on the latest development in Prosthodontics, Othodontics, Restoration Dentistry, Laser Techniques,
Peadodontics and Prosthetic Dentistry Laboratory Techniques. Her self satisfaction comes from sharing her knowledge and
lessons learnt with junior dentist and overseas trained dentists. As a mother of three young kids she always teaches children
"Prevention is better than cure". Dr. Thamarai, now a naturalized Australian, became a member of Australian Dental Association
in late 2001, which helps her self to keep updated with the ever growing and developing best dental practices.
Mathy Mathiyalagan
Dr Mathy Mathiyalagan is currently practicing at his family operated dental clinic, A Better Dental Care,
conveniently located at the heart of the Berwick village since March 2005. He as the principal practitioner
along with his wife Ms. Thamarai Mathiyalagan, who is also a Dentist manages "A Better Dental Care" to the
utmost satisfaction of their patients.
Dr. Mathy was born and raised in Sri Lanka, the pearl of Indian Ocean, and completed his undergraduate dental science
at the well renounced University of Peradeniya in 1995. Upon his completion of the undergraduate degree, he commenced his
career in the public hospital service of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health. During this time on a part-time basis he started
working with private dental clinics. This process enhanced his experience and the geographical region ranged from commercial
districts to urban areas and even to remote areas. His commitment to the profession made him to go to any extra mile to serve
patients in the rural areas even where there was civil unrest. Dr. Mathy's admirable qualities encouraged the management of Dental
Faculty of the University of Peradeniya, to engage his services at the faculty.
During the period ranging from 1999 to 2002 Dr. Mathy established his own dental practice in the heart of Colombo, the Capital
city of Sri Lanka, and operated with high level of patients' satisfaction. A remarkable contribution by Dr. Mathy was the Oral
Dental Survey, he conducted for United Nations Development Program under a Regional Dental Surgeon in the war torn northern district
of Sri Lanka. The willingness and involvement of Dr Mathy, encouraged him to contribute towards an Oral Health Training Program for the
health staff and Oral Health Care Program in schools and local communities with the support of the Ministry of Health and Lions Club.
After six years of accomplished career with great clinical experience, Dr. Mathy successfully passed the examinations held by
the Australian Dental Council in 2002. Since then he commenced his career in Victoria and practiced at rural and urban areas of
Victoria. This experience ranges from working in the state dental hospitals to private dental clinics even till late hours.
This wide and variety of clinical experience encouraged Dr. Mathy to venture into his private practice in Australia.
In his 14 years of professional dental career, Dr. Mathy has completed more than 300 hours on Continuing Professional Development
focusing on the latest development in Prosthodontics, Othodontics, Restoration Dentistry, Peadodontics and Prosthetic Dentistry
Laboratory Techniques. He satisfy himself by teaching and training junior dentist and overseas trained dentist as he considers
knowledge transfer is a key to prevention than care. Dr. Mathy attended a 30 weeks Melbourne Orientation Integrated Programme
conducted by The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne gave the cutting edge for his shinning career in Victoria of Australia.
Dr. Mathy became a member of Australian Dental Association to him self abreast with the ever growing and developing best dental practices.
Janine Cooper
A Better Dental Care (ABDC) is pleased to introduce Janine Cooper, its Practice Manager, to its patients, bankers and
suppliers and whoever would be in contact with ABDC. Janine joined ABDC in March 2005, just weeks after its inception and
continues to work in all the functional areas of ABDC.
Janine commenced her dental nursing career by joining Dr John Uren, a general dentist, in 1989 just after completing her VCE.
During her service attachment with the general dentist for seven plus years she successfully completed ADA certificate in dental
assisting as well as ADECA certificate. In this career she also learnt not only about dental nursing but developed as a person
to handle patients with her admirable public relations skills and working very closely with a team of five staff members and
learned the skill of team playing. Her ever learning attitude enabled her to complete courses on
HIV education programme, Level 1 First Aid, Front desk and reception management and Sterilising techniques.
Thereafter Janine decided to expand her career in dental assisting and spent two plus years with Dr Allan Pollard and associates
in an Orthodontic Clinic. This involvement have ample opportunity for Janine to work in a lot faster pace with five orthodontists,
two hygienists and a staff of 25 members. Further she learnt to see children and had a lot more one on one contact with the
patients and patient education including tooth brushing, flossing and oral hygiene instructions. Her contribution towards
designing and setting up two new surgeries was appreciated by the associate partners and they encouraged her to take up more
responsibilities. Since then she was involved in helping to design a practical and efficient working sterilising room as well
as stock control meeting with dental representatives making sure there was enough stock for opening. Once again her learning
aptitude made her to complete 4 Day Orthodontic Conference, Let's get out there (New age orthodontics), and Wires,
wires and more wires.
After nearly ten years in dental assisting Janine joined her husband who had a furniture store. She then gradually built the
business up and expanded to have three stores with thirty staff members. During this time she was mainly responsible for staff,
rosters, ordering stock, banking customer service, problem solving, delivery rosters, visual merchandising and general day to
day running of the stores. The business environment was conducive enough for her to short complete courses on Diploma in
retail management, Level 2 First Aid and Managing time.
With these sound backgrounds, Janine joined "A Better Dental Care" as a dental assistant within weeks of opening
"A Better Dental Care" in March 2005. Since then she has built up relationships with the patients coming in and ensure
they receive the maximum care and follow up procedures are appropriately followed. She also involved in training new staff,
ordering stock, rosters and daily running of the practice both in the surgery and reception area.
Janine considers working for Dr. Mathy and Dr. Thamarai at A Better Dental Care gives her
self satisfaction and the encouragement she receives to work in areas that she haven't worked before including marketing is a
moral booster to her. Since March 2005 Janine has also completed course in Updated First Aid and Infection Control.
The Certificate IV in Practice Management Course which she just completed in 2008 equipped her to manage the practice with
more robustness.