About Us

Our Story

Capital Dental is led by a highly experienced principal dentist with over 20 years in the field and a global foundation of training—from Siberia to the United States, Sweden, and Australia. Her journey into dentistry began with a desire to help people smile freely and live with greater confidence, an ambition that still drives the team today.

After many years working in various Canberra practices, she set out to create something different: a dental clinic built on approachability, transparency, and genuine care. A place where patients could feel at ease, ask questions openly, and receive treatment tailored to their goals.

Now, with a dedicated team of 12 and counting, Capital Dental continues to grow, welcoming new patients, transforming smiles, and making dental visits something to look forward to.

Our Philosophy:

We believe dentistry should be stress-free, supportive, and personalised. Whether you’re here for a routine clean or a full smile makeover, we focus on making you feel calm, informed, and in control of your treatment.

Dr Maria Andersson

Principal Dentist | Capital Dental

Dr Maria Andersson is the founder and principal dentist at Capital Dental, bringing over 20 years of experience and a deep passion for helping patients feel confident in their smiles. Originally from Novosibirsk in Siberia, Maria has trained and worked across the United States, Sweden, and Australia; giving her a truly global perspective on patient care and dental excellence.

Maria is known for her gentle, friendly approach and her dedication to making every visit feel calm and comfortable. She has a particular interest in aesthetic and restorative dentistry, and takes great pride in crafting natural, beautiful results through treatments like crowns, veneers, bridges, and implants. Her goal is always to ensure dental care is a positive experience— “something patients can genuinely look forward to.”

When she’s not caring for patients, Maria enjoys spending time with her three children and can often be found dancing Samba or kayaking on open water.

Dr Vivian Dao

DDS | Honours | Dentist

Dr. Vivian Dao brings a refreshing blend of advanced dental expertise and creative passion to Capital Dental. Originally from Canada, she is multilingual, speaking French, Vietnamese, and English, enabling her to connect warmly with a diverse range of patients. Growing up in a family of dentists, with her mother as a role model, inspired her deep commitment to dentistry and compassionate care.

Known for her gentle touch and genuine patient-centered approach, she excels at making anxious patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their treatment journey.

A strong advocate of preventative dentistry, Dr. Vivian emphasizes informed consent and actively educates patients with practical tips to improve their oral health. Her dedication to excellence is recognized through numerous accolades, including being a finalist for the Australian Dental Graduate Award, and recipient of the Colgate-Palmolive Research Grant, UQ Employability Award, and UQ Future Leader Award.

Always at the forefront of dental innovation, she integrates cutting-edge technologies like guided biofilm therapy, dental lasers, and nitrous oxide sedation (happy gas) to enhance patient outcomes and comfort. Beyond the clinic, her passions for acting and dancing enrich her empathetic, engaging approach, reflecting a holistic philosophy of care and connection.

This unique combination of cultural fluency, clinical skill, and creative energy makes Dr. Vivian is a highly valued member of the Capital Dental team.

Dr Julia

BDS | Dentist

Dr Julia grew up in Sydney and later made the move to Central West NSW, where she completed her Bachelor of Dental Science at Charles Sturt University. Since then, she has gained valuable experience working in private practice and has also contributed her skills to the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Dubbo and the Aboriginal Medical Service in Orange – bringing care to communities where it’s needed most.

Dr Julia is passionate about helping her patients maintain healthy smiles for life. She believes that prevention is the best approach and will work closely with you to avoid the need for complex treatment wherever possible. Her goal is to create a calm, supportive environment and build long-term relationships based on trust and personalised care.

With a special interest in treating children, Dr Julia knows how to make a trip to the dentist a positive and even fun experience. She’s trained in happy gas (nitrous oxide) sedation, which can be a great option for kids (and adults) who feel a little nervous about dental treatment.

When she is not in the clinic, you will find Dr Julia out walking her two dogs, Toby and Maple, or chasing a new personal best at parkrun on Saturday mornings. Dr Julia looks forward to welcoming you and your family with a smile

Dr Megan Pham

BDS | Dentist

Dr Megan Pham is an associate dentist at Capital Dental.

She loves helping patients feel relaxed and confident about their smiles and experience. Working in both public and private sectors, she enjoys caring for people from all walks of life with all kinds of dental needs. She takes the time to understand her patients’ concerns and discuss treatment plans tailored to their unique needs, to make sure every detail is just right, and most importantly, to help every patient feel comfortable and cared for during their visit.

She believes a kind, thorough approach and good conversation can make every dental visit a positive experience.

When not in the clinic, you’ll likely find her bouldering or trying out a new board game with friends and family.