Art of Dentistry is a dental clinic in Upper Hutt offering general, urgent, cosmetic and reconstructive dental care for the whole whānau. The practice covers everything from routine check-ups, fillings and hygiene visits through to same-day crowns, dental implants, orthodontics (fixed braces and clear aligners), and full smile makeovers as part of the wider Smile Makeover Group.
The clinic is led by Principal Dentists Dr Frank VandenBorst, Dr Akash Kota and Dr Kenny Kim, supported by dentists Dr David McKelvey, Dr Jenny White, Dr Bronwyn Stehbens, Jarren Tan, Raina Mitchell and Zia Loo, along with hygienists Kelly Reid, Kelsey Ryan and Beth Romeril.
With 98 reviews rated "Good" on Google, patients consistently highlight the team's clear explanations, gentle approach and reasonable pricing — including specific praise for Dr McKelvey's IV sedation work and same-day crown treatments. The clinic also offers urgent care such as IV sedation and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for anxious or younger patients, and states that affordable payment options are available.
Art of Dentistry operates from Royal Street in Upper Hutt, offering a full range of dental services for the whole whānau — from routine check-ups through to complex reconstructive and cosmetic work.
The clinic is led by three Principal Dentists — Dr Frank VandenBorst, Dr Akash Kota and Dr Kenny Kim — alongside a wider team of dentists including Dr David McKelvey, Dr Jenny White, Dr Bronwyn Stehbens, Jarren Tan, Raina Mitchell and Zia Loo, plus hygienists Kelly Reid, Kelsey Ryan and Beth Romeril. With 98 Google reviews rated "Good," patients frequently mention feeling informed and comfortable throughout their treatment.
A standard visit starts with a full examination — checking teeth, bite, existing restorations, gum health and bone levels, backed by X-rays to catch decay, cysts or root issues early. For patients in pain, the clinic offers urgent appointments for toothaches, along with root canal treatment, extractions and wisdom teeth removal. For anxious patients or trickier procedures, nitrous oxide and IV sedation are both available — one reviewer specifically praised the clinic's IV sedation for a child's tricky extraction, describing the team as professional and the pricing as fair.
One of the clinic's standout offerings is same-day crowns, using digital scanning and in-house 3D milling to design and craft a crown in a single visit — no impressions, no temporary crown, and no second appointment. For more extensive needs, the team also provides bridges, and dental implant options ranging from single-tooth implants to full "All on X" arch restorations and implant-supported dentures.
As part of the wider Smile Makeover Group, Art of Dentistry has delivered hundreds of personalised smile transformations, combining options like whitening, veneers, crowns, composite bonding and orthodontics into a plan tailored to each patient's goals. For straightening teeth, the clinic offers both fixed braces — suitable for children and adults — and clear aligners as a more discreet alternative.
Reviews consistently mention the clinic's clear communication and reasonable pricing. One patient described Dr McKelvey as informative, professional and good-humoured, while another praised a crown replacement for being smooth and reasonably priced. Reviewers also note decent parking and appointments that reliably run on time.
New patients can book by phone or email, and the practice outlines a simple first-visit process: booking an appointment, a full dental check-up, a personalised treatment plan explained clearly, and ongoing hygiene care to maintain long-term oral health. The clinic states that affordable payment options are available for those who need them.