Most of the time, you’ll find Bernie working with patients in our Tauranga practice — providing everything from check-ups to more complex dental care. But outside the clinic, Bernie also lends his skills to a very different side of dentistry: forensic identification.
Forensic dentistry, or forensic odontology, involves using dental records to help identify people, particularly when other methods like fingerprints or visual recognition aren’t possible. As a member of the New Zealand Society of Forensic Odontology, Bernie is part of a team that is sometimes called upon by police or the coroner’s office to assist with these sensitive cases.
Bernie first became interested in this critical work after the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. Like many others, he was deeply moved by the sheer scale of loss — and the challenge authorities faced in identifying victims. That initial spark was reinforced years later by the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, another tragic event where forensic dentistry played a major role in helping bring closure to grieving families. Bernie saw how important this work could be and committed to training in forensic identification to support both the community and his colleagues.
While large scale disasters often attract the most public attention, much of this work happens on a much smaller, more personal scale. Many of the cases Bernie assists with involve the identification of individuals in private family situations — after accidents, medical events, or when someone passes away unexpectedly or alone. These aren’t headline-making events, but they are deeply significant to the people involved. Helping confirm a loved one’s identity allows families to begin grieving with certainty and dignity.
It’s work that usually happens behind the scenes, and it’s not something Bernie talks about often. But it plays a crucial role, particularly when families are waiting for answers in difficult circumstances. Dental identification can be the key to confirming a person’s identity. Teeth, being one of the hardest substances in the body, often survive when other identifying features do not.
The process involves carefully examining the person’s teeth and comparing them with any available dental records — like x-rays, notes, or treatment history — provided by their dentist. In some cases, this can lead to a positive identification when no other method is available.
It’s precise, painstaking work, and not without emotional weight. But Bernie sees it as a way of quietly serving the community — offering dignity to those who’ve passed and helping bring closure to their loved ones.
For most people, forensic dentistry isn’t something they’d expect from their local dental practice. But Bernie’s work in this field reflects the same values he brings to his day-to-day care — professionalism, compassion, and a deep commitment to serving others. We’re proud to have someone on our team whose skills reach beyond the clinic, supporting families and communities across New Zealand when it matters most.