At Mountain Dental Care, our team is dedicated to providing exceptional dental care with a focus on patient comfort and well-being. We aim to exceed your expectations each time you visit our Tamborine Mountain dental clinic.
Dr Claudia Aguiar and Dr Amit Sutaria, both highly skilled and compassionate professionals, offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of our community. From general and family dentistry to advanced treatments like orthodontics and TMJ therapy, we aim to provide personalised care in a warm and welcoming environment.
Get to know more about our team here. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you achieve your best oral health!
Dr Claudia Aguiar, BDSc, Grad Dip (Ortho)
Principal Dentist
Dr Amit Sutaria, BDS, MBA
Dentist
Dr Amit Sutaria is a skilled and compassionate General Dentist who brings nearly two decades of clinical experience and a strong patient-centred philosophy to his practice. Fluent in three languages, he is committed to delivering high-quality, empathetic care that makes patients feel comfortable, respected, and well-informed.
Since graduating in 2006, Dr Sutaria has practised in five different towns across Australia, gaining valuable experience in both regional and urban settings. This diverse clinical background has given him a deep understanding of the varied needs of different communities.
He regularly performs simple and surgical procedures, and he is confident in managing complex cases in a calm and reassuring manner. Dr Sutaria also has extensive experience in supervising final-year dental students from multiple Australian universities, mentoring the next generation of dentists with a strong emphasis on clinical excellence and ethical practice.
Alongside his dental qualifications, Dr. Sutaria holds a Master’s degree in business, complementing his clinical skills with leadership and operational expertise. He currently serves as a principal dentist with Queensland Health, where he leads by example in delivering patient-focused care in the public sector while actively contributing to workforce training and service improvement.
Gio Richard
Orthodontic Consultant
With 33 years of experience as a qualified Orthodontist in Brazil, Gio has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. She has also taught Orthodontics at the Dental school of University Estácio de Sá in Rio and is a qualified Paediatric Dentist from the Federal University of Rio.
Having worked as a dental nurse in Australia, Gio has assisted dentists with orthodontic cases and will now be bringing her skills to our practice. We are privileged to have Gio on our team, where her knowledge and charisma will benefit our orthodontic patients.
Outside of work, Gio loves travelling the world and spending quality time with her husband and children. She also loves coffee!
If you see her around the office, don’t hesitate to say hi and learn more about her fascinating background in dentistry!
Leasa Cairns
Practice Manager
Meet Leasa Cairns, the heart and soul of Mountain Dental Care, who has been a familiar and comforting presence in our practice for over 25 years. As practice manager, Leasa brings a unique blend of professional expertise and genuine community connection, making every patient feel genuinely at home.
Having lived on Tamborine Mountain for 30 years, Leasa understands that working in a small community means so much more than just clinical care. She knows her patients personally, not just their dental history, creating meaningful relationships that extend far beyond the dental chair. This personal touch has become one of the most valued aspects of the Mountain Dental Care experience.
Starting as a dental assistant in 1992, Leasa has truly grown with the practice. When Dr Claudia purchased Mountain Dental Care in 2010, Leasa was already an integral part of the team - she quite literally "came with the practice." This continuity has been invaluable in maintaining the warm, family-like atmosphere that patients have come to expect.
When she's not at the practice, Leasa enjoys expressing her creative side through watercolour painting and coloured pencil artwork. She maintains her fitness through various styles of yoga and mountain biking, taking advantage of the beautiful natural environment that Tamborine Mountain has to offer.
Here's something that might surprise you about our gentle, artistic Practice Manager - Leasa holds a black belt in martial arts!
Tamieka Barr
Dental Assistant
Tamieka has been a valued member of the Mountain Dental Care team since 2020, bringing warmth, compassion and expertise to every patient interaction. She completed her training at the AADA (Australian Academy of Dental Assisting), where she developed the skills and knowledge that make her a valuable asset to our practice.
What Tamieka loves most about her role is helping patients feel comfortable and at ease during their dental visits. Understanding that many people experience anxiety about dental treatment, she takes special pride in calming nerves and creating a positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Her gentle approach and genuine care make even the most nervous patients feel welcomed and supported.
When she's not at the practice, Tamieka embraces her creative side through painting and drawing - passions that have been with her for years. She also has some truly unique interests that set her apart. Tamieka is fascinated by reptile handling and owns several snakes, each with their own distinct personality. She finds the experience both calming and educational, appreciating the patience and respect required to work with these often misunderstood creatures.
Esther Kelly
Dental Assistant and Patient Coordinator
Esther joined the Mountain Dental Care team in late 2024, bringing with her a genuine passion for helping patients understand the importance of their oral health. Having started her journey in dentistry in 2003, Esther was drawn to the field by her desire to work in healthcare and make a positive difference in people's lives.
What Esther loves most about her role is building trusting relationships with patients and helping them develop a deeper understanding of their oral health. She feels fortunate to work alongside a team that shares her values and maintains such a high level of respect for one another.
When she's not at the practice, Esther is a keen runner who loves spending time outdoors. She's an active member of a local running group and enjoys the camaraderie and challenge that comes with the sport. Away from work, Esther treasures time with her friends and family. Here's a fun fact that might surprise you - Esther is a twin!
Jade Jewson
Dental Assistant
Known affectionately as 'The Whitening Queen,' Jade brings passion, precision and a genuine love for helping people fall in love with their smiles to Mountain Dental Care. With her calm, caring approach and infectious positive energy, she's become the go-to person for making every patient feel relaxed and at ease.
Jade's dental journey began in 2010 when she first started as a dental nurse. She received her initial training at the prestigious Leeds Dental Institute in the UK and holds qualifications through the National Dental Examining Board. Since relocating to Australia, she's extended her qualifications with Cert III and Cert IV, along with specialised courses in Itero, Zoom whitening and impression taking.
Jade is known for her ability to keep the day flowing smoothly whilst creating a positive, team-focused environment where everyone feels supported and valued. Her colleagues appreciate her energy, experience and that special touch of sparkle she brings to every appointment.
Outside the dental practice, Jade is passionate about all things beauty and wellness, from skincare routines to relaxing at bathhouses. She loves staying active and spending time outdoors with her children, always finding little ways to unwind and recharge.