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Meet Duchenne's Team

At Duchenne, we aim to make great smiles. You will enjoy the most appropriate and cost-effective treatment solutions, so once fitted with a Duchenne partial or full denture you will be able to smile with confidence.


John Batchelor

CEO and Senior Dental Clinician (DipDT, Advanced PG CDT, International Instructor SEMCD, BPS Instructor)

Having started his business in 1979, John has a wealth of experience, both with his customers and with his passion in Digital Technology.
When he is not at one of our 14 clinics around the South Island, he is either travelling to source and trial the latest technology or being asked, in his position as an industry leader to speak at various events.
He loves being part of the team at Duchenne and is passionate about bringing the latest technology to his clinics to help all customers get their smiles back.

Rob Courtier

Senior Clinical Denture Specialist & Clinical Director (DipDT, Advanced PG CDT)

Meet Rob, one of our senior dental clinicians.
He brings 20 plus years of experience to his role and for him, it's always about finding the right balance of cost and treatment that gets people smiling again.

Outside of Duchenne you could find him winding around the roads of Canterbury on his road bike and visiting a local cafe or two.
He also has a keen interest in Bee keeping, so we are always looking forward to the fruits of his harvest!

Tristan Pattinson

Clinical Denture Specialist and General Manager (BDT, PG Dip CDT - Studied at Otago)

Tristan spent 4 years studying at Otago before he moved to Christchurch and has been with Duchenne ever since.
He has travelled to Germany for the IDS dental conference and enjoys trialling the latest 3D printers that are being introduced into the clinics and laboratory that give a whole new way of providing treatment for patients.
He gets tremendous satisfaction from working with a fun and dedicated team but mostly from seeing the pleasure on patients' faces.
He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends and definitely getting out on the water.

Sophia Kwon

Clinical Denture Specialist (BDT, PG Dip CDT - Studied at Otago)

Sophia joined the team after moving here from the North Island and is a valuable team member and says she loves working with a great team and being able to offer her patients a great smile using world class equipment and materials.
Being leaders in the industry with the latest technology and materials, means being able to offer her patients the best possible options in the market.

Omar Abdel-Ghany

Clinical Denture Specialist (BDT, PG Dip CDT with Distinction - Studied at Otago)

Another long standing member of the team, Omar is an extremely capable technician who studied at Otago University and passed his post graduate studies with Distinction.
He loves seeing smiles being made on a daily basis, the Duchenne difference is the fantastic team who make work a joy everyday.
He loves heading home to his pet dog Caesar and walking him as often as he can.

Helen Fowke

Clinical Denture Specialist (BDT, PG Dip CDT with Distinction - Studied at Otago)

Helen graduated from Otago with Distinction, she is a very warm and professional technician and is always happy after she sees her patients with a new smile.
After work she likes to spend time with her young family, to keep fit and healthy and enjoys art and travel and spending time at the beach.

Emily Munn

Clinical Denture Specialist (BDT, PG Dip CDT with Distinction - Studied at Otago)

Emily graduated from Otago University in 2015 with Bachelor of Dental Technology followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology and has been working as a Clinician and Technician since then.
One of the reasons she wanted to work at Duchenne is because we only use the best quality products and latest procedures so that the aesthetics and function are the most effective for all patients.

Deborah Bassett

Head of Digital R&D & Integration

Deb says she loves the constant energy that Duchenne puts into research and development.
She especially enjoys implementing how we at Duchenne strive to get the best results for our patients.
Debbie spends a lot of her time defining the digital crafting and production.
She is always developing our technology and techniques especially as we lean into the digital landscape

Sunny Kal

Clinical Denture Specialist (BDT, PG Dip CDT with Distinction - Studied at Otago)

Sunny graduated from the University of Otago with Distinction in Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology.
She is a passionate and active person who always strives to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
She started her new journey with Duchenne and loves learning the latest technology.

Teresa

Practice Manager

Teresa is the practice manager at Duchenne. She brings years of experience from both Administration and Business and is based in our Head Office in Christchurch.
When away from work Teresa enjoys travelling around with children’s sport and mixing with friends and family.

Fionna

Receptionist

Fionna is fresh out of the hospitality life and joined the Duchenne crew in 2022. She brings her warm, hospitable and kind nature to her work. You’ll find her at our Merivale reception, where she arranges patient appointments and clinicians’ days.
She enjoys going to events which have either food, drinks or crafts.

Lisa

Office and Reception

Lisa has worked in her family retail business for the past 25 years, her parents sold and retired and we were fortunate that she applied to us for the position of Office/Receptionist at Duchenne.
She enjoys spending time with her family, especially getting away in her caravan and going camping.

"Hi I had new dentures put in about one month ago. I can not express how much it has changed my life. I haven't had a full mouth of teeth for about 4 years. It truly has made a big difference. I've had so many comments about how natural they look. I'm so over the moon. Thank you so much Sophia. You've changed my life."

Hine Te Karu

"Hello Duchenne Team – Merivale

I would like to thank the team for great service and an excellent denture. It fitted perfectly, first time with no adjustments.
Now I can eat normally at last."

Warren Pettigrew

"Earlier this year I had to have ALL of my remaining teeth removed and to be fitted with full upper and lower dentures!! Horror of Horrors - I was dreading it!! However, I was referred to Duchenne Denture Specialists in Christchurch. They were amazing - the whole Team!!! Tristan couldn't have been more skilled, friendly or professional. He took time to get to know me and found out what my hopes and wishes were for my 'new look'. I felt totally confident before the process even began. My friends and family could hardly believe that my whole 'change' had gone so smoothly. I'm super thrilled with my new dentures - they look terrific and natural and are a super fit. I highly recommend Duchenne at Springfield Rd and, in particular, Tristan. Thanks sooo much Tristan for your excellent work and friendly approach - so much appreciated!!"

Mary M.

"Thank you to Helen Fowke for her very professional services in fitting my new plate. Her attention to detail was very helpful and thorough and she made sure that my plate was fitting comfortably and that I was happy with the look and feel of it. I would highly recommend her service to others."

Diane D.

"I have been lucky to be put under the professional care of Emily at Duchenne in Christchurch to have dentures made. With the whole process including denture adjustments nothing was a problem to her with her calming and professional approach as I was tending to get a bit stressed at this new venture. So a big thanks to you and the reception staff and look forward to my next visit."

Peter, Christchurch

"After going through a dreadful experience with another denture manufacturer it wasn't easy for me to decide to go through the whole process again.
I made the decision to ring Duchenne Denture Specialists and make an appointment to see if they could help me, right from the first call to the receptionist it has been a wonderful and very easy process.
I went to the Ilam practice where I met Sophia, I found her to be very professional and so helpful and has made this experience so different from my last. She was so caring and empathetic to my anxieties and guided me through the whole process. She made sure that I was happy with each decision made and every appointment was a breeze, nothing has been a problem. I now have a beautiful, natural looking, well-fitting set of dentures that I am happy to finally smile about.
I highly recommend without question Duchenne Denture Specialists and especially Sophia.
Thank you"

Kaye

"I would like to tell you about my experience getting my new dentures. I was extremely lucky to have the lovely Sophia to make my new dentures. I found Sophia very professional and always paying attention to every little detail. I can’t speak highly enough of her. I am so so happy with my new dentures and has done wonders for my
self esteem. So in my opinion,Sophia at 291 Clyde Road Christchurch needs cloning she is an asset to your company"

Christchurch

"Kia Ora Tristan. Thank you! My experience with you and the Duchenne team has been exceptional. As a first timer with full top/bottom dentures, your exceptional people skills, informative pre and post care guidance and delivery really made my experience all the more reassuring, comfortable and enjoyable. Total professionalism and brilliance of finished denture product. And my dentures? OMG! STUNNING! I've got my massive smile back again - woo hoo. Front and Back of house team - Thank you also."

Anaru

"I would like to say a very big thank you to Tristan for the truly expert job that he did by making my partial denture. He is truly a professional, has great empathy and listens to your concerns. Above all else is an artist in his work and I would recommend him 100% to any future clients."

Peter. Rolleston

"Duchenne Technicians and staff are AMAZING people!!
I had lost so much confidence because of missing teeth, I would try and hide them as much as I could, I'd talk with my hand close to my mouth, and wouldn't smile for people or even family photos. My new dentures fit perfectly and the process was fast and efficient. Thank you so much Tristan for giving me my smile back, you've been an amazing."

Mere

"I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to Tristan at Springfield Road for my teeth, they are amazing! And I have noticed all the detail put into them and I feel amazing. Thank you for giving that back to me you are an artist. 😉🙏"

Misty M. Christchurch

"I cannot speak highly enough of Rob and his understanding manner with listening and helping me through this process. I have wanted to do this for years and they have finally accomplished this goal is just life changing to me"

Jean S.

"John & Nic from their Invercargill Clinic are absolutely awesome !!! Left with the biggest smile I’ve had in years today. Best decision I made to get my partial with this team.
Very friendly & very informative. The process from consultation to my final appointment was a breeze !! Thank you so much John & Nic extremely grateful for you giving me my smile back again.
I definitely recommend this team from Duchenne Dentures to everyone !!!!"

Megan T. Invercargill

"John and Nicki, thank you so much for my new teeth. They are amazing. Not only is it a pleasure to visit for my dental care, I now have the confidence to smile again!"

Marie F.

"Thankyou to Robert Courtier for his outstanding work on my new teeth. He made the whole process so easy. My teeth are very natural looking and I'm very happy with the outcome. This was a nerve wracking decision to have teeth out but now I've got the new denture and they don't look false I'm thrilled."

Lynne Hartly

"Thoroughly recommend the work of John and Rob. Excellent service and teeth fit like a glove"

D.J.