For Dr Fatima Kurnaz, dentistry is deeply personal. It is shaped by family, culture, and a lifelong connection to the Turkish community of Broadmeadows — a community that has played a vital role in Melbourne’s north for generations.
A Story Shared by Many Turkish Families
Dr Fatima’s grandparents migrated to Melbourne in the late 1960s, part of a wave of Turkish families who laid the foundations of today’s strong, close-knit community across Broadmeadows, Dallas, Glenroy, and Meadow Heights. Like many migrant families, they arrived with little more than determination, resilience, and a commitment to giving their children better opportunities.
That same spirit continued through her father, Dr Selim Kurnaz, a well-known GP who served local families around Dallas. Growing up, Fatima saw what it meant to care for people not just as patients — but as neighbours, friends, and extended family.
Growing Up Turkish in Broadmeadows
Raised in Broadmeadows, Dr Fatima’s upbringing mirrors that of many Turkish-Australian children of her generation. She attended local schools before continuing her education at Sirius College, a familiar pathway for many Turkish families who valued both academic excellence and cultural identity.
Speaking Turkish at home and English at school, Fatima grew up bilingual — an experience that now shapes her approach to dentistry. She understands first-hand how language can be a barrier in healthcare, particularly for older community members or those newly arrived in Australia.
Today, she is proud to offer bilingual dental care in Turkish and English, ensuring patients fully understand their oral health, treatment options, and costs — without confusion or pressure.
Melbourne University Graduate (DDS)
In 2014, Dr Fatima graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Her education emphasised evidence-based dentistry, ethical care, and patient-centred decision-making — principles that continue to guide her clinical philosophy.
Learning Dentistry Where It’s Needed Most
After graduation, Fatima made a bold decision to move to the Northern Territory. There, dentistry extended far beyond routine check-ups. She treated patients from diverse cultural backgrounds, managed complex cases, and developed a calm, confident approach under challenging clinical conditions.
Her dedication and skill saw her progress to Senior Dentist – Clinical Manager at the special needs clinic at Royal Darwin Hospital, where she:
- Led multidisciplinary clinical teams
- Treated patients with complex medical and special needs
- Balanced clinical excellence with compassion and patience
This experience profoundly shaped her gentle, respectful approach — especially with anxious patients and children.
Returning to Melbourne & Refining Her Craft
In 2019, Dr Fatima returned to Melbourne to be closer to family and community. She worked across multiple private practices, focusing on general dentistry, restorative dentistry, and long-term oral health planning.
More recently, she has developed a strong interest in cosmetic dentistry, always with a conservative and ethical mindset — enhancing smiles while preserving natural tooth structure.
A Turkish Dentist Serving Her Own Community
Opening Y3 Smiles Dental in Broadmeadows is more than a professional milestone — it is a heartfelt return home. Dr Fatima understands the unique needs of the local Turkish community, including the importance of clear explanations in Turkish, respect for family involvement in healthcare decisions, and the value of trust built through genuine relationships.
- Speaks Turkish and English fluently
- Explains every step clearly and calmly
- Treats patients like family
- Understands the cultural context of her community
“After practising across Australia, it feels incredibly meaningful to care for the same community that raised me. This clinic is for our families, our parents, and our children.”
A Clinic Built on Trust, Culture, and Care
Dr Fatima Kurnaz’s journey — from a Turkish-Australian childhood in Broadmeadows, to senior clinical leadership in the Northern Territory, and back home again — reflects the values she brings to every appointment: trust, clarity, and compassion.
Y3 Smiles Dental is proud to be a place where the Turkish community feels understood, respected, and genuinely cared for — right here in the heart of Broadmeadows.
— Y3 Smiles Dental