Periodontal Services

Jo Lovegrove

Jo graduated as a dentist from the University of Otago, School of Dentistry in 1995, and worked in general practice in England for several years before returning to live in Christchurch with her husband in 1999. She decided to formalise her interest in periodontics and returned to the University of Otago in 2001. She graduated Master of Dental Surgery with distinction in Periodontology in 2003.

Since 2004, Jo has worked in Christchurch, combining part-time specialist practice with raising her three children. She is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Periodontology), and a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, Australian and New Zealand Academy of Periodontists, and the British Society of Periodontology.

Jo is surrounded by a great team and strives to provide her patients treatment in an environment where they feel supported and comfortable.

When not at work Jo enjoys Pilates and tap dancing to keep fit. The demands of 3 children ensure she is always busy!

David Ko

David completed his undergraduate training at Otago University in 2010. After working in general practice for a couple of years, he returned to Dunedin for postgraduate doctoral training (DclinDent) and became a registered periodontist in 2015. David has since worked in practices in the North Island and joined the team at Periodontal Services in 2019. David provides both implant and periodontal services and also offers sedation as required. He is an active member of several dental associations and continually provides implant/perio related lectures to local and other national dental groups. Outside work David is a keen runner and loves to travel.

Abby Oliver

Abby graduated from the Universidad Europea de Madrid in 2017. After this she moved back to the UK where she was in London working in general practice. She then moved to Scotland and completed Dental Core Training. In this time, she worked in community dental services and at Dental Schools in the Oral Surgery and Restorative departments as well as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ward. Following this she moved to New Zealand to complete her specialist training in Periodontology at The University of Otago.

Abby is a keen baker and if it’s sunny you’ll find her out walking with her partner and their 2 dogs.

Corinne McKeown

Corinne qualified as a Dental Therapist in 1988, and later retrained as a Dental Hygienist at Guys Hospital in London. She worked in London as a hygienist for a short time before heading to Saudi Arabia to work as a hygienist in the Dental Department of a Military Hospital. After 5 years working in Saudi, Corinne moved back to New Zealand and continued to work as a hygienist in general dental practice.

Corinne joined us at Periodontal Services in 2012 and works closely with our periodontists to provide quality hygienist care and patient education in a team environment.

Corinne loves a good movie and spending time with family

Deb Verberne

Steri Assistant

Sharon Frapwell

Practice Manager

Sheree Nilsen

Sheree graduated as a Dental Hygienist in 2005. Sheree has worked in Australia and New Zealand,
and joined us in 2023 to support our ever-growing need for hygiene care. Sheree is passionate about
connecting with her patients to understand their needs, and working with them to achieve optimal
periodontal health.

Outside work Sheree will be anywhere where the sun is, whether it’s the beach or halfway up a
mountain, with her partner and their two dogs.

Stacey Fowler

Receptionist/Steri Assistant

Monica Ragg

Monica graduated as a Dental Hygienist with a degree in Oral Health sciences (Distinction) from the Essex University, UK in 2011. After graduation, Monica worked in specialist and general dental practices around London for 8 years, and moved with her family to New Zealand in 2019.

Monica has been with us since July 2025, gradually increasing her days to meet growing demand. She is passionate about helping people feel comfortable in the dental environment and providing the highest quality care in a gentle and professional manner.

Outside work Monica enjoys yoga, swimming and spending quality time with family.

Yumi Ogata

Surgery assistant

Carly Fisher