DENTIST

Dr Maruth (Max) Banavar is a caring and experienced dentist who loves helping patients feel confident in their smiles. Born and educated in India, he values his heritage and the strong sense of community it brings.

Before joining Bay Dental, Dr Max worked in both country and city practices and spent eight years as Senior Dental Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, serving across HMAS bases and ships throughout Australia. Now settled into civilian life, he’s proud to be part of the Bay Dental team.

Dr Max enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with a special interest in restorative dentistry. To ensure his patients always receive the highest standard of care, he continues to expand his skills through regular local and international dental conferences.

Outside the clinic, he loves spending time with his young family, going on long bush walks, and getting lost in a good book.

Dentist

Dr Anneka Alam is a compassionate and dedicated dentist committed to helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles. She completed her dental degree in Perth, Western Australia, where she built a strong foundation across all areas of dentistry. Known for her gentle approach, Dr Anneka strives to ensure every visit is comfortable, positive and stress-free.

She has gained valuable experience working in rural communities, including Tamworth, NSW, where she developed a deep appreciation for building meaningful patient relationships and addressing a wide range of oral health needs. Dr Anneka enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with particular interests in restorative and surgical treatments.

Committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care, Dr Anneka continually expands her knowledge and clinical skills through ongoing professional development and training.

Outside of dentistry, Dr Anneka enjoys staying active with Pilates, taking relaxing beach walks and discovering new food spots.

Hygienist

Lauren grew up in Sydney and started her career in dental at 18 years of age. Initially as a dental assistant, then completed the Bachelor of Oral Health at Newcastle University in 2010.

Lauren has two young boys of her own and is extremely passionate about teaching the younger generation the importance of optimum oral health and providing them with the tools to achieve this. 

With extensive experience as a Hygienist, Lauren delivers a thorough, caring, and understanding service to all of her patients. 

In her time away from work she enjoys camping and fishing with her family. 

ORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

Heather began her dental journey at just 17 years old as a dental assistant, where she discovered her love for helping people feel comfortable and cared for. After gaining experience across a range of specialties, including periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and orthodontics, she followed her passion and graduated as an Oral Health Therapist from the University of Sydney in 2021.

Her journey has taken her from the beautiful Blue Mountains to the countryside of Tamworth, back to Sydney, and now to the coast, where she has made a sea change and happily calls the Bay home. Along the way, Heather has worked as a clinical educator with the University of Sydney and alongside specialist paediatric dentists, developing a strong passion for children’s oral health and a gentle, supportive approach to care.

Heather is known for creating a calm, positive and even fun experience for her younger patients, helping them feel at ease and build confidence in their dental visits from an early age.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her toddler and making the most of coastal living, soaking up as many beach days as possible.