Meet the Team

Dr. Ashley Smith completed his general dental training at The University of Queensland in 1980 with honours. In 1981 he was Australia`s `Top Dentist` at the hospital on Thursday Island. Between 1982 and 1983 Ashley worked as a general dentist in England, during which time he decided to train as an orthodontist. Ashley completed his specialist orthodontic training at The University of Queensland and was the first orthodontist in Australia to complete a three-year master’s degree in orthodontics.

After graduating, Ashley commenced practice in association with Dr Reg Wenck at our current location. Ashley is a member of the Australian Dental Association (ADA), the Australian Society of Orthodontists, the International Federation of Orthodontists and the Australian Damon Study Group. He is a registered orthodontist with AHPRA. Ashley is passionate about keeping up to date with the art and science of orthodontic care. He regularly attends local, national and international conferences, to ensure the latest developments in orthodontics are provided to his patients. Ashley lectures locally, Australia wide and internationally.

Ashley enjoys family time with his wife and two children. When not at the practice Ashley is often found training on his mountain bike. Despite moving to Toowoomba in 1987, Ashley continued his love of competitive sailing, having represented Australia in several world championships.

Dr. Chris Turnock completed his general dental training at The University of Queensland in 2002 with first class honours. In 2003, Chris commenced private practise in Ipswich. During Chris’s time as a general dentist, he successfully completed the primary examinations for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, and decided to train as an orthodontist. Chris completed his three-year specialist training at the University of Melbourne, gaining a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. He also holds the British specialist orthodontic qualification. Chris is a certified member of the Australasian Orthodontic Board (AOB) and a registered Specialist Orthodontist with AHPRA.
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Since becoming a specialist, Chris has worked in Hawthorn East and Malvern in Melbourne’s Southeast. In April 2010, he joined Ashley at Toowoomba Orthodontists. Chris enjoys teaching and has spent several years teaching future dentists and orthodontists at the University of Queensland. In addition, he presents lectures locally, Australia-wide and internationally. Chris also strongly believes in maintaining the standards of the dental and orthodontic profession. He is a past president of the Australian Dental Association Toowoomba Sub-branch, and the immediate past president of the Australian Society of Orthodontists Queensland branch (ASOQ).

In his free time, Chris regularly attends professional conferences to ensure he continues to get the best possible results for his patients. Chris, his wife Catherine, and son Will enjoy being part of the Toowoomba community, as well as travelling within Australia and overseas. Chris likes playing a social game of golf, watching competitive rugby and dining out at any new restaurant he can find.

Dr. Emily Close was awarded a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Dundee (Scotland) in 2004. After graduation, she was commissioned into the Royal Army Dental Corps and spent several years treating soldiers and their families. Emily worked throughout Europe and overseas, including an exchange posting to the Australian Army. She completed postgraduate exams and was awarded a diploma from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK).

In 2010, Emily immigrated to Australia, working first at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, before beginning her orthodontic training at the University of Queensland where she obtained a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry. Additionally, she completed the Membership in Orthodontics, a specialist orthodontic examination directed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Emily is a registered specialist with the AHPRA. She is also a member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, the Australian Orthodontic Board and the Australian Dental Association.

Keeping up to date with advances in the profession and interacting with her colleagues is important to Emily. She regularly attends local and international conferences and belongs to several dental study groups. She enjoys the opportunity to pass her knowledge on to those beginning their careers through her involvement in the teaching programme at the University of Queensland.

Emily loves outdoor sports, so when she isn’t at work, she is usually outside enjoying Toowoomba’s beautiful parks and surroundings with her husband Gareth and their dog.