The
Team

The Team

DR. ETIENNE POTGIETER – Principal Dentist

After graduating with a degree in dentistry from the University of Pretoria in 1984, Dr Etienne Potgieter spent two years doing compulsory military training as a dental surgeon in various rural areas of South Africa and Namibia. He then joined a practice in Pretoria, which specialised in fixed crown, bridgework and removable dentures. Offering various sedation techniques for nervous patients, the clinic had a very practical approach with laboratory technicians’ onsite. In 1990 Etienne started working as a dentist in Putney, London, and later that year a practice in Hastings, South Coast of England. Both surgeries performed all general dental services but specialised in conscious sedation for nervous patients and cosmetic work such as tooth whitening and veneers as well as crown and bridgework.

After several Implant Courses under the guidance of the General Dental Council of England, Etienne started placing Southern Implants in 1995 in Putney, London. Completed Misch Implant Training with the late Professor Carl Misch at Pittsburgh University, Pennsylvania, USA in 1996. Completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Surgical Implantology at University of the Western Cape in 1998. Whilst continuing working in London, the family moved and worked in Enschede, Netherlands in 2012 but returned to Cape Town in 2014 where the family, wife Adré and three children, still work, school and study in Strand and Stellenbosch. Etienne obtained a Mastership in Lasers with the late, much loved, Prof. Dr. Norbert Gutknecht at Aachen University, Germany in 2020. The introduction of Lasers in his practice, Paardevlei Smiledental at Paardevlei Specialist Medical Centre in Somerset West, opened a whole new world in treatment modalities and technique in all facets of Dentistry, especially in soft tissue manipulation, bone stimulation and treatment of peri-implantitis in Implantology. Recently joined the International Team of Implantology. Etienne’s sport is mountain biking, his hobby is restoring classic BMW motorcycles and his passion is being the President of the Christian Motorcycle Association of Helderberg.

DR. LEANI RABIE – Dentist

Dr Leani Rabie finished her BChD Degree at the University of the Western Cape in 2014. She did her community service as dentist in Upington, Northern Cape.

As from January 2016 she practiced as a dentist in Cape Town where she gained experience in all fields of general dentistry. Leani is always open for a new challenge and has a predilection for cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, paediatric dentistry and orthodontics. As Paardevlei Smile Dental offered her the opportunity to broaden her experience, she joined our practice part-time during 2016 and full-time as from January 2017.

Leani has always been complimented as a friendly and dedicated dentist who quickly gained a huge client base with her bubbly personality.

Leani was born in Pretoria but raised in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape and is one of 4 children from a musical family.

DR. ABRIE BOSMAN – Dentist

Dr Abrie Bosman graduated from the University of the Western Cape in 2018, after which he did his community service in Smithfield in the Free State.

After community service he joined a group practice in N1 City, Cape Town, where he gained valuable experience and knowledge in all aspects of dentistry. During this time, he also pursued a 2-year postgraduate diploma in Dental Implantology at the University of the Western Cape.

Abrie joined our practice in January 2022 and adds value due to his expertise in root canal therapy, as well as to be closer to his family in Grabouw, where his father is a dentist. He has a predilection for prosthetic dentistry and endodontics and enjoys helping people get over their fear for dentists by practicing minimally invasive dentistry and using techniques to minimise pain and discomfort during their dental visit.

In his free time Abrie enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing a round of golf or camping.

ADRI VAN ZYL – Oral Hygienist

Adri completed her studies at the University of Pretoria in 1984, she spent 4 years at a Government clinic, and since 1988 she worked in Dental Practises in Durban, Pretoria, and Port Elizabeth. She gained experience in general practice and Orthodontics.

She joined the Paardevlei Smile Dental team part-time in 2016 and full-time since October 2020 and is available Monday-Friday, and every second Saturday. Adri will always advise and serve her patients to the best of her abilities, and experience gained during the past 35 years.

LIZETTE MAPSON – Dental Assistant

Lizette comes from Newcastle, Northern KZN. She completed the first year of a BSc degree, but soon realised she wanted to do something different and then decided to study beauty therapy the following year. She completed a three year Higher Diploma in Somatology from the Potchefstroom Academy for Health and Skincare Therapy. She has a National Diploma from SAAHSP and an international qualification through CIDESCO. This internationally recognised diploma enabled her to work abroad; she therefore decided to join Steiner Transocean in 2002 as a skincare therapist onboard the Ocean Princess Luxury Liner. Working on board these floating hotels was a wonderful way to gain work and life experience.

After meeting her husband, Lizette then returned to South Africa and settled in Strand where they started a family and had two kids.

After working in the health and beauty industry for 15 years, Lizette joined the Paardevlei Smile Dental team and obtained her Dental Assistant qualification in 2018. She loves meeting and helping people and find much joy assisting Dr Etienne Potgieter.

Her somatology qualification comes in handy when we do Fractional Laser Dermal treatments where she assist patients in understanding the process and advising them on pre- and post-operative skincare.

JACKY SHANK – Dental assistant

Jacky is originally from Vanrhynsdorp. At the age of 5 her parents moved to Cape Town where she matriculated at Forest Heights High School and thereafter studied Hospitality Management at Northlink Protea College. She worked as a waiter to get her career going until she had an opportunity to train as a dental assistant.

Jacky has been a registered dental assistant with the HPCSA since 2018.

She is married with 3 daughters and one granddaughter and resides in Eersteriver.

Jacky joined Paardevlei Smile Dental in August 2020 and is very excited for the journey ahead. She is always smiling and friendly.

ARRIëTTE CLAASEN – Dental Assistant

Arriëtte was born in Macassar, Cape Town. She matriculated in 2003 and then found a position in a retail store for the next 9 years. She truly enjoyed her time in retail as she really loved working with people.

While working in retail, an opportunity presented itself to join a dental practice in Somerset West as a trainee dental assistant. A year later in 2019, she wrote her board exam and received her qualification as a registered dental assistant with the HPCSA.

In January 2022 she joined the warm and welcoming team at Paardevlei Smile Dental where she experienced advanced dentistry working with the most modern equipment and treatment.

Arriëtte lives with her family and she has two beautiful daughters whom she absolutely adore.

In her free time you will find her next to the football/soccer field supporting her girls playing the sport they love.

MARIETJIE DU PLESSIS – Practice Manager and Receptionist

Marietjie has extensive business experience in many fields. She has been with us since the start-up of Paardevlei Smile Dental and runs a tight ship. She mans the phone and will offer empathetic and efficient help to any query you might have.

She was born and raised in Pretoria and moved to Cape town in 1998. She is happily married with one daughter.