About us
Dr Christa Engelbrecht – Owner / Dentist:
With a passion for overall wellbeing achieved through optimal oral health, Dr. Christa Engelbrecht opened her private dental practice in Stellenbosch in 2016 after several years of practicing abroad. Her vision has always been to combine personal, patient-centered care with the highest standards of modern dentistry.
A graduate of the University of Stellenbosch (1999), Dr. Engelbrecht is registered with both the Health Professions Council of South Africa, the South African Dental Association (SADA) and the International Team for implantology (ITI). After qualifying, she owned and managed a busy Cape Town practice before relocating to the UK in 2000, where she gained extensive experience in both private and multidisciplinary settings. In 2008, she established her own private practice in Hertfordshire, focusing exclusively on high-quality restorative and aesthetic dentistry. She continued to manage this practice remotely after returning to South Africa until it was sold in 2018.
While living in the UK, Dr. Engelbrecht trained under some of Europe’s leading specialists in Dental Reconstruction and Aesthetics. She firmly believes that if something is worth doing, it should be done right the first time—without shortcuts. To that end, she collaborates exclusively with top specialists and dental laboratories in the Western Cape to ensure every patient receives gold-standard treatment.
Dr. Engelbrecht enjoys all aspects of dentistry and has a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry, implant restoration, and orthodontics.
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“Restoring a smile is about so much more than aesthetics — it’s about restoring dignity, confidence, and ultimately transforming someone’s life in a real, tangible way. That’s the most rewarding part of what I do.”
As an early adopter of clear aligner therapy (invisible braces), she continues to stay at the forefront of this evolving field and her interest in orthodontics and clear aligner therapy has grown into a true passion. She has worked extensively with multiple aligner systems and technologies, treating a wide range of cases—from simple aesthetic corrections to complex discrepancies. Dr. Engelbrecht has also served as a clinical advisor and collaborator for aligner manufacturers in the past, contributing her experience to help refine digital treatment protocols and clinical outcomes.
Today, her fully digital practice in the heart of Stellenbosch reflects her commitment to precision, aesthetics, and patient comfort. She continues to attend national and international conferences to remain at the leading edge of dental innovation and to ensure her patients benefit from the very best that modern dentistry has to offer.
Outside of her professional life, Christa deeply values her time with family. She enjoys hiking, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen, finding balance and inspiration in the simple joys of everyday life. And for anyone who has ever visited her practice, it’s no secret that she has a deep appreciation for art—never missing the chance to visit a gallery or museum wherever her travels take her.
Dr. René Thiersen – Dentist:
Dr. René Thiersen graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2001 and is registered with both the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African Dental Association (SADA).
From 2003 to 2016, she owned and managed a thriving general dental practice in Durbanville, where she focused on delivering quality family dentistry in a caring and patient-focused environment. After more than a decade of dedicated service, she made the decision to sell her practice to spend more time with her family.
Since 2017, Dr. Thiersen has been practicing as a locum dentist in Somerset West and Stellenbosch, gaining broad experience across a variety of clinical settings. Between 2007 and 2020, she also collaborated with Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons in theatre, where she further developed her interest and skills in surgical dentistry. She continues to enjoy the variety of general dentistry but finds particular satisfaction in the precision and challenge of surgical procedures.
In addition to her dental expertise, Dr. Thiersen is trained and experienced in neurotoxin wrinkle treatments, offering her patients a gentle and holistic approach to facial aesthetics.
René values a collaborative, team-based approach to patient care, believing that the best results are achieved when professionals work together with the patient’s overall wellbeing in mind.
Outside the practice, René has been married to Johan du Toit since 2000 and is the proud mother of two teenage sons. She’s also a devoted Paul Roos rugby mom, and when not cheering from the sidelines, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
Dr. Lara Kleyn – Dentist:
Dr. Lara Kleyn, a registered dentist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2016. After relocating to Cape Town in 2018, she has been practicing privately in the Northern Suburbs, where she is known for her gentle approach and commitment to patient-centered care.
Dentistry runs deep in Lara’s family — inspired by her oldest brother, uncle, and two cousins, all dentists themselves, she naturally followed in their footsteps and continues their legacy of clinical excellence and compassion.
Lara is passionate about creating a comfortable and positive dental experience for every patient she treats. Honesty, empathy, and high-quality care are at the heart of her practice philosophy. While she enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, her key interests lie in aesthetic dentistry and implantology. She has completed postgraduate training in implantology and is skilled in performing surgical procedures, implant placement, and advanced restorative treatments.
In addition, Lara has undergone advanced training in facial aesthetics. Her expertise in anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers allows her to enhance both function and aesthetics, helping patients achieve balanced, natural results that complement their smiles.
Outside of dentistry, Lara enjoys spending quality time with her husband Jurgen, their daughter Lisa, and their golden retriever Joey. She loves cooking, traveling, and making memories with friends and family — the moments that bring balance to her busy professional life.
Leigh-Anne Berry – Oral Hygienist:
Leigh-Anne graduated as an Oral Hygienist from the University of Stellenbosch in 2002 and is proudly registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Her passion for oral health and her genuine care for people shine through in everything she does.
Over the years, Leigh-Anne has built a diverse career within the dental field. For twelve years, she worked as a medical representative for GSK, gaining invaluable experience and insight into the broader dental industry. However, her true calling remained in patient care — and she eventually traded her business suits for clinical scrubs, returning to hands-on dentistry where she could once again connect directly with patients.
“I find immense fulfilment in helping people achieve and maintain healthy, confident smiles,” she says. “Education and prevention are key, and I love empowering my patients with the knowledge to take control of their oral health.”
Leigh-Anne regularly attends conferences and continuing education courses to stay at the forefront of advancements in oral care and ensure her patients benefit from the latest techniques and knowledge.
When she’s not in the practice, Leigh-Anne enjoys spending quality time with her family, making the most of life’s simple joys.
Queline Singh – Receptionist / Dental Assistant:
Queline is an HPCSA-registered dental nurse with experience spanning every corner of dental practice life since 2008. She has been part of Dr. Engelbrecht’s team since 2015, and when the Stellenbosch practice opened in 2016, she joined full-time — playing a key role in establishing the systems that keep the practice running smoothly.
Highly versatile, Queline moves seamlessly between assisting in surgery, coordinating from reception, and managing day-to-day operations. Few know every aspect of the practice as well as she does — she truly is the master of patient management and the heartbeat of the team.
Outside of work, Queline is a devoted wife and mother of two young girls. With a generous spirit, she loves cooking and preparing meals for those in need, spending many weekends giving back to her community.
Chivon de Kock – Dental Assistant:
Chivon is an HPCSA-registered dental nurse who began her career in dentistry in 2019 and has been committed to growing her skills and knowledge ever since. She is passionate about guiding patients through their dental journeys, helping them move from feeling anxious to becoming confident and proud of their healthy, beautiful smiles.
Outside of work, Chivon is a true foodie who loves exploring new cuisines. She also enjoys music and keeping active, finding balance between her creative side and her commitment to wellness.
Laurenda Hendricks – Dental Assistant:
Laurenda is an HPCSA-registered dental nurse who began her career in dentistry in 2014 and quickly discovered her passion for helping people. She enjoys all aspects of dental care, but finds assisting with full rehabilitations especially rewarding—seeing the joy and confidence on a patient’s face after treatment is what inspires her every day.
Outside the practice, Laurenda is a devoted wife and mother. Her family and faith means everything to her, and creating meaningful memories with her husband and daughter is her greatest joy.
