Our Specialists
Adj A/Prof John Highfield
BDS Hons I (Syd) (Awarded the University Medal in Dentistry), DDS (Tor), MSc Perio Distinction (Lond), MRACDS Perio, FICD, FADI, FPFA.
John is a full time specialist periodontist who restricts his practice solely to the treatment of periodontal diseases at Park St Perio. He also teaches part time for the University of Sydney, with an appointment as an Adjunct Associate Professor.
John was previously Head of the Discipline of Periodontics at the University of Sydney with a half time appointment, while being also engaged in half time specialist periodontal practice. Prior to specialising he spent 10 years in general practice. He was also for many years an officer in the RAAF Specialist Reserve with the rank of Wing Commander.
John has also been involved extensively in other professional activities including dental regulation with the Dental Board and Dental Council of NSW and has been a council member of the Australian Dental Council where he was also involved in the assessment of overseas trained dentists. He has also been extensively involved in the provision of continuing education development for dentists with both the University of Sydney CPD and the Australian Dental Association.
DR MARTIN CHERRY
BDSc (WA), MDSc (SYD), FDSRCS (ENG), MRACDS (PERIO)
Dr Cherry completed his undergraduate studies in Dentistry at the University of Western Australia in 1991 and started his professional career in a private general practice in Bunbury, WA from 1992 to 1994. He then spent two years working as a Senior House Officer in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the United Kingdom. On returning to Australia in 1998, he commenced specialist training in Periodontics at The University of Sydney and transitioned into specialist practice Periodontics with Dr’s Highfield and Daly in 2001.
With a strong commitment to teaching, Dr Cherry started to teach for the Sydney Dental School of The University of Sydney from 1998 to 2001 in the undergraduate Periodontics clinic. From 2004 until today, he trains and supervises postgraduate students at the Sydney Dental Hospital, as a Senior Lecturer at The University of Sydney, and helps them on their way to become Periodontists.
Dr. Martin Cherry also provided twelve years of service to the RAAF Specialist Reserves, practicing Periodontics part time at RAAF Base Richmond.
His clinical interests include the management of Periodontal Diseases and Implantology.
PROF AXEL SPAHR
Dr. med. dent. habil., MRACDS. (Perio)
Prof. Spahr is Head of the Discipline Periodontics and Program Director of the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry-Periodontics specialist course at The University of Sydney Dental School.
Prof. Spahr is the former Head of Periodontics at the University of Ulm in Germany and has worked at various international Universities and research facilities. He has additional training in microbiology, molecular biology, extensive experience in basic science research, animal research and clinical research. His clinical and research interests include periodontal regeneration, bone regeneration/augmentation, periodontal plastic surgery, periodontitis and systemic diseases, antimicrobial therapy as well as dental implants, guided implant surgery and peri-implant diseases. He has led large externally funded research projects and is collaborating with leading international research groups and companies in the field of periodontology, implantology and bone regeneration. He has authored numerous publications in international peer-reviewed dental and medical journals, book chapters, and has presented his work at professional conferences worldwide.
Prof. Spahr is a board registered periodontal specialist, working part-time at Park Street Perio in Sydney, and is the past President of the Periodontal Research Group of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR). He is a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology (ITI), the International College of Dentists (ICD), and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA).
Dr Jessica O'Neill
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Jessica O’Neill is a registered specialist in Periodontics and was awarded membership of both the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, and the Faculty of Dental Surgeons at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. She graduated as a dentist in 2002 from the University of Sydney, and spent the next two years gaining valuable experience in a large teaching hospital before heading to England. She worked in the UK for two years gaining surgical experience, and in Queensland in private practice, before returning to Sydney to study Periodontics, during which time she received several awards and scholarships. Since gaining her specialist registration, Jessica has worked in private practice in Sydney. Jessica is a part-time lecturer and clinical tutor for dental students at the University of Sydney.
