Meet Dr Riaan Foot, Orthodontist
Finding a Creative, Hands-on Career
Growing up, Riaan developed a love of working with his hands. With a father who was into DIY, he would take on projects around the house, enjoying using different tools. These passions and a want to help others carried over perfectly into the dental profession. To complete his education, Riaan first attended the University of Stellenbosch for undergraduate training.
It was during this time that he discovered a passion for orthodontics. He realised the immense potential of orthodontics in improving smiles and transforming lives. After graduating with a Bachelor of Dentistry, he worked in a private practice for 5 years.
I find tremendous satisfaction in seeing the improvement in people’s confidence and change in personality by doing something as seemingly small as moving teeth into place and giving them the smile that they’ve always wanted.”
Dr Riaan Foot
Developing Expertise in Orthodontics
Then, it was time to indulge his passion for orthodontics. He enrolled at the University of Western Cape and completed a postgraduate diploma in interceptive orthodontics there. After moving to Australia, he completed the examinations for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Australian Dental Council, becoming fully registered.
Subsequently, Riaan was accepted into a specialist training program for orthodontics at the University of Sydney. There, he was exposed to training from world-renowned orthodontists and dental professionals, learning from the best all over the globe.
His skills were recognised during his studies by the Australian Society of Orthodontics (NSW), who awarded him the prize for having the best treated case completed by a student from his cohort. Following this three-year fulltime course, he obtained a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics). Riaan is currently the President of the Manly Warringah Dental Study Group and is part time clinical tutor to the Sydney University Orthodontic postgraduate students at Sydney Dental Hospital.
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Outside of the Practice
When Riaan isn’t looking after his patients’ orthodontic needs at Wavescape Orthodontics, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, Cara, Walter and Lilah. He’s a keen sportsman and enjoys scuba diving, surfing, snowboarding, squash, kite surfing, running, golf, rugby union and Aussie rules football (he developed a love of the AFL after living in Tasmania and is a mad Hawks supporter). He loves the northern beaches and laid-back lifestyle of the Dee Why area.
Professional Associations and Additional Qualifications
With having lectured in Australia and abroad, Riaan accepted an offer from the University of Sydney to join their faculty as a lecturer and tutor for postgraduate students. He is currently a member of:
He has had the honour of holding positions such as Honorary Clinical Associate with the Orthodontic Department at the University of Sydney and has been a consultant orthodontist at Sydney Paediatric Dentistry. His special interests include:
- The use of temporary anchorage devices to expedite treatment results
- Dentofacial orthopaedics
- Innovative aesthetic treatments including Invisalign® and invisible braces
Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule your appointment! A range of flexible payment plans are available.
