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Qualifications

BDS MBChB MRACDS(PDS) FRACDS(OMS)

Key interest areas

• Minimally invasive wisdom tooth removal
• TMJ surgery: TMJ arthroscopy (key-hole surgery) and Total Joint Replacement
• Dental Implants & Bone Grafting
• Orthognathic Surgery
• Facial Trauma Reconstruction

About Mr Ryan Smit

Ryan is a New Zealand-trained Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. He grew up in Christchurch before moving to Dunedin to study dentistry at the University of Otago (UoO), and then medicine at UoO Wellington.

During his early medial training he gained broad experience, working in numerous specialties including General Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Ear, Nose and Throat surgery, Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery throughout Waikato Hospital and Hawkes Bay Hospital.

Ryan completed his advanced surgical training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Christchurch and Auckland, working and training in Christchurch, Auckland, and Middlemore Hospitals.

He places a strong emphasis on minimally invasive surgical techniques, and has a special interest in TMJ surgery, with a focus on TMJ arthroscopy. In 2023, he completed the University of Maryland TMJ Surgery mini Residency in Arizona, USA. He is now working toward becoming a member of the American Association of TMJ Surgeons.

Ryan’s approach to patient interaction is open, honest, clear, and concise while endorsing a progressive and positive work-place culture and environment for his colleagues. This translates well into the operating theatre where he aspires to the highest possible patient outcomes.

In addition to his private practice, Ryan works part-time as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Auckland City, Middlemore and Starship Hospitals. This includes working as an on-call surgeon for all oral & facial emergencies. He has a special interest in the facial and orbital reconstruction that can be required after motor-vehicle-accidents and other traumatic events that may lead a patient to sustain severe facial trauma.

Ryan enjoys keeping fit and is a keen water skier and snow skier. He lives at home in Auckland with his partner Kylie, who works within the Auckland health system as a radiology doctor, and his two young daughters Willa and Addie who go to primary school and kindergarten.