Dr Anina de Vries Dentist
BSc (Hons), BDS (Adelaide), NDEB (Canada)
Dr Anina has developed a deep appreciation for both the science and human side of dental care. She believes in taking time with each patient, listening to their concerns and helping them feel at ease.
It's the small moments that matter – explaining treatments clearly, answering questions thoughtfully, and ensuring everyone feels comfortable and understood.
Her commitment to evidence-based care means staying current with the latest dental techniques and technologies. But more than that, she sees oral health as key to overall wellbeing, from general health to self-confidence, and loves helping families develop positive dental habits that last generations.
Life recently brought Dr Anina to Bulimba, where she lives with her husband and two wonderful kids. Between patient care, you might find her in the kitchen (her love language is definitely food!), planning family adventures, or getting distracted by anything sparkly.
She's found her home in this community and loves the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, one smile at a time.
Education and Experience
Dr Anina started her university studies with a science degree program at the University of Calgary, Canada. After relocating to Australia with her family, she completed a Degree of Science with Honours which she accomplished at the same time as her Degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Adelaide. She is fully qualified to practice in both Canada and Australia, having passed both the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) and the Dental Board of Australia (DBA).
Her journey in dentistry has taken her from Newcastle, where she practiced for a year, and then moved to Sydney and worked there for more than a decade. In 2021, Dr Anina made Brisbane her home, moving here with her family right here to Bulimba. Her passion for dental aesthetics and functional dentistry continues to grow, leading her to pursue further studies in restorative and aesthetic dentistry to enhance the care she provides to her patients.
Philosophy
“ My philosophy as a dentist is simple: I want my patients to leave feeling better about their dental health and smiling bigger than when they came in. ”
Changing the way people think about dental visits is at the heart of Dr Anina's approach. She believes dental visits should be something to look forward to, not fear, and takes time to create a relaxing environment where questions are welcomed and dental care feels less daunting. Her focus is on ensuring excellent dental health while helping patients leave with the confidence to share their smile with the world.
Beyond just dental health, she understands how a confident smile shapes our daily interactions and relationships. It's why she emphasizes both the technical aspects of dental care and making sure her patients feel comfortable and understood, while encouraging healthy oral habits that last a lifetime.
With her warm and approachable nature, Dr Anina is dedicated to creating beautiful, confident smiles that last a lifetime.
Community and Association
Dr Anina is committed to staying at the forefront of dental advancements to deliver exceptional care to her patients. As a member of the Australian Prosthodontic Society Queensland, she connects with leading experts in restoring and replacing teeth, ensuring she brings the latest knowledge and techniques to her practice.
As an accredited Invisalign provider, Dr Anina helps patients achieve straighter, healthier smiles through customised clear-tray orthodontic solutions.
Did you know?
Though born in South Africa, Dr Anina didn't start learning English until she moved to Canada at age 12! She is still fluent in Afrikaans.
Get to know your dentist! Quick fire questions and answers with Dr Anina.
What would you say is your dental philosophy?
I believe in looking after all my patients with kindness, respect, and genuine care. My goal is to combine these values with advanced skills, staying up-to-date with the latest techniques, to provide high-quality, comfortable, and relaxed care for the entire family. After all, a healthy smile deserves a gentle, thoughtful approach!
How does dental health relate to your body’s overall well-being?
Your dental health is closely connected to your body's overall health, and the relationship works both-ways. As a dentist, we can often be at the forefront of identifying signs of underlying health issues during regular checkups. It's interesting how much we can learn about your overall health just by having a look inside your mouth.
During every dental checkup, we examine not only your teeth but your entire mouth, including your palate, tongue, and surrounding soft tissues. Sometimes, we spot areas of concern that could require further investigation, including conditions that may indicate cancer. Dental x-rays can also occasionally reveal signs of bone-related issues.
Your oral health gives us a small window into your body's overall condition, highlighting concerns as simple as sleep troubles to more complex healthy conditions including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, respiratory problems, sleep apnea, and even pregnancy complications.
Beyond the physical, good oral health plays a significant role in your social and emotional well-being. A healthy smile is often the starting point for confidence.
What is the one thing you would want patients to know about your work?
Happiness is at the heart of everything I do. Whether it’s creating a comfortable and relaxed environment, keeping you informed every step of the way, or ensuring the highest quality care, my goal is to make you happy. A happy patient with a confident, healthy smile is the ultimate reward for my work.
How do you keep up-to-date with techniques, technology and teachings?
I love learning and finding new ways to grow my skills. Whether it’s attending courses, chatting with other dentists, reading, or following inspiring professionals from around the world, there’s always something new to discover. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to learn and continue to learn—it’s a big part of why I enjoy what I do.
When did you decide to be a dentist?
Around grade 10 or 11, I realized dentistry was the perfect fit for me. Before that, I dreamed of being an actress, a chef, or even a vet!
What is the best part of your day?
The best part of my day is a tie between the best hugs from my kids and the moment I see someone smile. Whether it’s a patient leaving the chair feeling confident or my little ones lighting up my world at home. Those moments make everything worthwhile!
What is one thing that patients worry the most about that they shouldn’t?
I understand that pain is one of the biggest worries for most people, but it doesn’t have to be. With modern techniques, I can make your experience far more comfortable than you might expect. A lot of the fear comes from the unknown such as sounds, smells, or not knowing what’s happening next. That’s why I take the time to walk you through every step and make sure you feel in control. My goal is to help you feel comfortable and to build trust so you know you’re in safe hands.
What is the one thing patients don’t worry about and they need to pay attention to?
If there’s one thing I wish patients worried about more, it’s flossing. I know, it sounds cliche, but those little daily habits make such a huge difference. Flossing, combined with regular dental check-ups, shifts the focus from fixing problems to preventing them entirely. It’s amazing how much treatment can be avoided when we focus on the small, consistent things. Prevention really is the best approach for long-term dental health.
Favourite movie of all time?
How could anyone possibly pick just one? My go-to favourites are The Thomas Crown Affair (the Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo version), Ever After, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Elizabethtown, and pretty much anything by Wes Anderson.
What song cheers you up no matter what?
Just like my favourite movies, I believe a good playlist can turn any day around! My top picks are Sweetest Thing by U2, Yellow by Coldplay, Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves, and honestly, anything from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks. They never fail to lift my mood and keep the good vibes going!
If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
PASTA!!
What celebrity would you have as a best friend?
I don’t want a best friend, I want a best squad! My team would be: Kristen Bell, The Rock, Blake Lively (to go shopping with), Jason Statham, and Chris Pratt.
Online enquiry form.
If there is a question you would like to have answered, or to make an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact either by calling us on: (07) 3395 6944, via email at: info@hellosmiles.com.au or by using the contact form below.