Sdiq Al-Atroushi, B.H.SC.
Dental Council of NZ ID: 12341
Areas of interest:
Preventive dentistry
Preventive dentistry
Dental therapy for adolescents
Dental hygiene for all age groups
Sustainable and environmentally-friendly dental practices
Advanced techniques
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Health Science – Oral Health
Sdiq’s story
Early life and career
Sdiq’s career in dentistry started long before he ever picked up a dental tool. Born in Iraq, Sdiq migrated to New Zealand at the age of 10, facing the challenges of assimilating into a new country. However, with both parents successfully registered as dentists in this country, his path to a similar career was set early on.
Growing up in a family of dental professionals, Sdiq developed a deep respect and admiration for the profession. The desire to follow in his parents’ footsteps and potentially take on the family business sparked his interest in pursuing a career in the industry. So, he enrolled in higher education and, in 2009, qualified with a Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health.
His first official dental role was at Waiuku Dental Center, where he worked for six years. Then he moved on to Dentspa Highland Park, taking on the dual role of oral health therapist and practice manager for the next four years. His career continued to evolve with positions at Dentspa Karaka and Albany Village Dental, providing him with a wealth of experience in various dental settings.
JOINING KOWHAI DENTAL
So what made Sdiq decide to move up to Whangārei? Well, the decision was influenced by several factors, one of those being the attractive work-life balance offered by Kowhai Dental – and the strong support and learning opportunities too. Moreover, Sdiq was drawn to Kowhai’s commitment to social justice and equality, appreciating the organisation’s recognition by local Māori.
Continuing to evolve his career, Sdiq hopes to make a difference in Whangārei by helping patients prevent and treat tooth and gum disease, aiming to be known for reliability and dependability in the community. He is also pursuing further education to enhance his skills.
Outside of work, Sdiq enjoys a variety of hobbies including reading, walking, gardening, cooking and camping. He’s also passionate about sustainability, and is currently interested in aquaponics. His care for the environment is also reflected in his work, where he focuses on reducing the need for restorative work, leading to greener dentistry practices that use less plastic and produce fewer CO2 emissions.