Medical Negligence

Dr Mark Sinclair

Dr Mark Sinclair is a highly respected clinician, lawyer, and former three-term ADA NSW President with more than four decades of leadership in the dental profession. Combining extensive clinical experience with formal legal training, he is known for his clear, well-reasoned reporting and his ability to analyse complex clinical issues with precision.

Mark has held numerous senior roles across professional bodies, chaired key committees, lectured nationally on risk management, and has contributed to the profession through his work with the Dental Council of NSW. His multidisciplinary background and longstanding commitment to professional standards underpin his capacity to deliver balanced, articulate, and robust independent assessments.

Dr David Taub

Dr David Taub is an experienced oral surgery and implant dentistry clinician and medico-legal consultant with more than 30 years of clinical experience. He provides independent expert opinions in matters involving oral surgery, dental implant treatment, dentoalveolar surgery, standards of care, treatment planning, surgical complications, causation, informed consent and treatment outcomes.

Dr Taub graduated from the University of Sydney with First Class Honours in Dentistry in 1995, receiving multiple awards for proficiency in Oral Surgery. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS) in 2000 before completing a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) in 2003, establishing advanced expertise in oral surgery and implant dentistry.

For more than two decades, Dr Taub has restricted his practice to oral surgery and implant dentistry, providing specialist-level surgical care to dental practices throughout metropolitan Sydney. He previously served as Head of Exodontia within the Department of Oral Surgery at the United Dental Hospital of Sydney, reflecting his extensive experience in complex dentoalveolar surgery and clinical leadership.

Alongside his clinical practice, Dr Taub has made a significant contribution to dental education. He has taught at the University of Sydney, mentored clinicians undertaking postgraduate implant training at both the University of Sydney and Charles Sturt University, and co-developed hands-on oral surgery education programs for general dental practitioners. He continues to support the profession through the Australian Dental Association Mentor Program, contributing to the ongoing development of clinical standards and surgical practice.

Dr Taub is regularly engaged to provide independent expert opinions in medical negligence, personal injury and insurance matters involving oral surgery and implant dentistry. He has prepared expert reports for insurers and legal practitioners, including Meridian Lawyers and Guild Insurance, addressing issues such as diagnosis, surgical treatment planning, standards of care, breach of duty, causation, informed consent, treatment outcomes and the appropriateness of clinical management. Recognised for his objective, evidence-based approach, and extensive surgical experience, he delivers balanced, authoritative opinions that assist insurers, legal practitioners, courts and tribunals in resolving complex dental disputes.

Dr Andrew Watkins

Dr Andrew Watkins is a Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and experienced medico-legal consultant with expertise in oral and maxillofacial surgery, dentoalveolar surgery, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery, facial trauma and the surgical management of complex oral and maxillofacial conditions. He provides independent expert opinions in matters involving standards of care, surgical decision-making, treatment planning, causation, informed consent, treatment outcomes and complications arising from oral and maxillofacial surgery as well as medical negligence as it pertains to Dentistry.

Dr Watkins completed degrees in Oral Health Therapy, Dentistry, and Medicine at the University of Sydney before undertaking specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training across John Hunter Hospital, Westmead Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and The Canberra Hospital. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (FRACDS (OMS)) and subsequently completed advanced subspecialty training in temporomandibular joint surgery and orthognathic surgery, developing expertise in the assessment and management of complex TMJ disorders and dentofacial deformities.

Dr Watkins combines specialist private practice with extensive leadership in surgical education and specialist training. He is Supervisor of Training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at John Hunter Hospital, Secretary of the NSW/ACT Regional Surgical Committee for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Training, an examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons Fellowship examinations, and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Dentistry at Charles Sturt University. Through these appointments, he plays an integral role in training, mentoring and assessing future Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, providing an exceptional understanding of contemporary surgical standards, professional expectations and accepted clinical practice.

Dr Watkins is regularly engaged to provide independent expert opinions in medical negligence, personal injury and insurance matters involving oral and maxillofacial surgery. His reports address issues including diagnosis, standards of care, breach of duty, causation, informed consent, prognosis, treatment outcomes and the appropriateness of surgical management. Recognised for his objective, evidence-based approach and commitment to specialist education, he delivers balanced, well-reasoned and authoritative opinions that assist insurers, legal practitioners, courts and tribunals in resolving complex oral and maxillofacial disputes.
In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr Watkins maintains active involvement in the advancement of the specialty through his contributions to specialist surgical training and professional governance. His combination of dual medical and dental qualifications, specialist surgical expertise and leadership in education places him among a select group of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons with the breadth of experience to provide independent, defensible and highly credible medico-legal opinions.

Dr Elizabeth Arena

Dr Elizabeth Arena is a Specialist in Oral Medicine and experienced medico-legal consultant, providing independent expert opinions in matters involving oral mucosal disease, oral potentially malignant disorders, salivary gland pathology, oral manifestations of systemic disease, and complications arising from dental and medical treatment. She has expertise in matters concerning delayed or missed oral cancer diagnosis, standards of care, causation, informed consent, treatment planning and the oral complications associated with cancer therapies and immunosuppression.

Dr Arena holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Dentistry (Honours), before completing a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry in Oral Medicine at the University of Sydney. Her unique combination of legal and specialist clinical qualifications provides an exceptional foundation for delivering clear, objective and evidence-based medico-legal opinions in complex clinical disputes.
She has extensive experience across both public and private specialist practice, delivering Oral Medicine services within the Western Sydney and Sydney Local Health Districts and private practice. Her work encompasses the assessment and management of diagnostically challenging oral diseases, including oral epithelial dysplasia, immune-mediated oral diseases, salivary gland disorders, oral complications of systemic illness and cancer therapies, and complex diagnostic presentations.

Dr Arena is a Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Oral Medicine), an invited College Examiner in Specialist Dental Practice, and serves on the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons Board of Studies in Accredited Training Programs (New Zealand). She is also a member of the Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia, the European Association of Oral Medicine and the Australasian College of Legal Medicine. Through her examiner and governance roles, Dr Arena contributes to maintaining specialist education and professional standards within Oral Medicine, providing a comprehensive understanding of contemporary standards of clinical practice.

Dr Arena is regularly engaged to provide independent expert opinions in medical negligence, personal injury and insurance matters. Her reports address issues including diagnosis, standards of care, breach of duty, causation, informed consent, prognosis and the appropriateness of treatment provided. Recognised for her meticulous analysis, balanced reasoning and ability to explain complex Oral Medicine issues with clarity, she delivers objective and authoritative opinions that assist insurers, legal practitioners, courts and tribunals in resolving complex medico-legal disputes.

Dr Jessica O'Neill

Dr Jessica O'Neill is a Specialist Periodontist and experienced medico-legal consultant with expertise in periodontal disease, implant dentistry, peri-implant disease, regenerative periodontal procedures and complex multidisciplinary dental rehabilitation. She provides independent expert opinions in matters involving standards of care, treatment planning, causation, informed consent, implant complications and the long-term management of periodontal disease.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (Honours) from the University of Sydney, Dr O'Neill completed postgraduate hospital training at Westmead Centre for Oral Health before undertaking advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training in the United Kingdom. She subsequently completed a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics) at the University of Sydney, graduating with Distinction/High Distinction. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, recognising her outstanding professional achievement and contribution to the profession.

Dr O'Neill combines specialist private practice with senior academic and public hospital appointments. She is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sydney, a Senior Clinical Specialist at Sydney Dental Hospital, and has served as Acting Head of the Department of Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Endodontics. As an examiner for the Australian Dental Council, the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the University of Sydney, she plays an active role in assessing the competence of Australian dentists and specialists, providing an exceptional understanding of contemporary standards of periodontal and implant care.

Dr O'Neill is regularly engaged to provide independent expert opinions in medical negligence, personal injury and insurance matters. Her reports address issues including diagnosis, treatment planning, standards of care, breach of duty, causation, informed consent, prognosis and the appropriateness of treatment provided. Recognised for her objective, evidence-based approach and meticulous clinical analysis, she delivers clear, balanced and authoritative opinions that assist insurers, legal practitioners, courts and tribunals in resolving complex dental disputes.

Dr Shane Fryer

Dr Shane Fryer is a Specialist Orthodontist and experienced medico-legal consultant with more than 35 years of specialist clinical practice. He provides independent expert opinions in matters involving orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, standards of care, treatment outcomes, causation, informed consent and the management of complex dentofacial abnormalities in both children and adults.

After completing his Bachelor of Dentistry, Dr Fryer undertook specialist orthodontic training at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Master of Dental Science in Orthodontics. Since establishing specialist practice in 1988, he has treated thousands of patients across the full spectrum of orthodontic care, developing particular expertise in complex treatment planning, craniofacial growth and development, interdisciplinary care, treatment outcomes and contemporary orthodontic techniques.

Dr Fryer has combined specialist private practice with an extensive commitment to education, governance and professional leadership. He has taught Operative Dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at the University of Sydney and has held numerous senior leadership positions within the Australian Dental Association and the Australian Society of Orthodontists. Importantly, he served as Chair of the Dental Council of New South Wales, where he played a significant role in overseeing professional regulation and maintaining standards of dental practice. These leadership appointments provide him with an exceptional understanding of the professional, ethical and regulatory frameworks that underpin contemporary orthodontic care.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons with specialist membership in Orthodontics and an Honorary Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Academy of Dentistry International and the International College of Dentists. He is also a member of the Australian Dental Association, Australian Society of Orthodontists, American Association of Orthodontists and the World Federation of Orthodontists.

Dr Fryer is regularly engaged to provide independent expert opinions in medical negligence, personal injury and insurance matters involving orthodontic treatment. His reports address issues including diagnosis, treatment planning, standards of care, breach of duty, causation, informed consent, treatment outcomes and the appropriateness of orthodontic management. Recognised for his objective, evidence-based approach and extensive specialist, regulatory and governance experience, he delivers balanced, authoritative opinions that assist insurers, legal practitioners, courts and tribunals in resolving complex orthodontic disputes.

Our consultants

General Dentists

Dr Mark Sinclair

Dr Kate Amos

Dr David Taub

Dr Rohan Krishnan

Dr Dominic Aouad

Dental Specialists

Dr Shane Fryer

Dr Jessica O'Neill

Dr Elizabeth Arena

Dr Andrew Watkins

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Contact Details

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+61 411 363 329

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