My name is Dr. Gaurav Taneja and I am a University of Otago graduate. I did my schooling at Kelston Boys High School back in the days when Graham Henry (All Blacks Coach) resided as the Dean. Part and Parcel of living in Auckland was meeting people from various ethnicities and some of my best friends then and now are from the Pacific Islands. My bond with the Pacific Community grew stronger in Otago as I led the International Students Association for 4 years at Arana Hall. The desire to be part of the community started early and dictates the reason for my interest to serve the Tongan Community at the Tongan Health Society Clinic.
I graduated in 2001 and have since been serving the Auckland Community with a short stint in rural Queensland. My experience in Auckland include working in a range of Dental Clinics in all parts of the City. Needless to say my service in Auckland included areas of all socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicity. This exposure to a wide array of patients from contrasting demographics has helped me develop an understanding that oral health varies tremendously between ethnic populations. It is my experience, in providing oral health care to people of lower socio-economic backgrounds that’s has helped create a passion in delivering care to the underprivileged; where it is needed most. Also, being from an ethnic background myself; helps empathize with not only ethnic groups but with New Zealanders from all other walks of life. Being a peoples person also helps build relationships with patients beyond professional care.