Your oral health is an incredible indicator of your overall health. A breakdown in your dental care routine could lead to a range of severe health conditions, so achieving your dream smile is about so much more than white, straight teeth.
Lifetime Dental offers a refreshing alternative to the regular dentistry experience. We don’t just treat your teeth and gums. Instead, we take a much more wide-ranging, overarching approach that sets you up for lifelong dental health. This approach has made us a favourite for Melburnians looking for a dental treatment with a difference.
40 Years’ Experience in Melbourne
Dr Chris Darby has been practising holistic dentistry in Melbourne since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1984 — bringing over 40 years of experience to every patient he sees. That depth of knowledge shapes everything about how we practise, from the time we take to understand your individual concerns to the warm, unhurried environment we've created at our Prahran clinic.
Our team has been carefully selected to share that same philosophy: highly trained, genuinely caring and committed to making sure you feel completely at ease from your very first visit.
Ready to Meet Our Team? We Welcome Your Call!
As part of our holistic approach to dentistry, we offer treatment plans that set your oral health up for life. Our clinical treatments are complemented by the education and information you and your family need to practice healthy oral habits at home. We believe that the real work in maintaining oral health happens at home, and we’re committed to providing you with the tools and knowledge to do so effectively.
We invite you to meet our team at Lifetime Dental or book a consultation with one of our dentists in Prahran, VIC, today!
Dr Chris Darby
Principal Dentist
Chris Darby, the founder and principal dentist of Lifetime Dental, graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1984. He focuses heavily on TMD, non-extraction orthodontics, sleep apnoea and snoring, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to his patients.
As a fellow of the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), Chris is passionate about integrating a holistic approach to dental care. He is also a member of Victorian Integrative Practitioners, a professional network dedicated to combining holistic and integrative strategies in healthcare.
Outside of work, he enjoys snow skiing, playing tennis and cycling. Married with two teenage children, Chris balances his professional life with an active, family-centred lifestyle. You can arrange a consultation with Dr Chris Darby from Monday to Wednesday and on Fridays.
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Dr Ben Olstein
Dentist
Dr Ben Olstein is passionate about building long-lasting relationships with his patients. He attended Melbourne High School and earned his Bachelor of Biomedicine and Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Melbourne. He finds it most rewarding to help patients improve their oral and overall health. He also enjoys blending his love for science and art in his work.
When he’s not seeing patients, Dr Ben stays active by hitting the gym and following all kinds of sports. He also enjoys a friendly game of table tennis and likes to challenge himself with chess. Fun fact: he worked as a security guard during his university days!
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Dr Charlie Kong
Dentist
Dr Charlie Kong has been helping patients feel confident in their smiles since 2014. He’s passionate about treating people with care and dignity and always strives to solve each dental challenge with compassion and skill. After earning his degree from the University of Queensland, Dr Charlie joined our team in 2022. He pursued dentistry on the recommendation of family and friends, and it’s been a rewarding journey ever since.
One of his favourite things about his job is connecting with patients and finding long-lasting solutions to help them feel better. Having a bit of dental anxiety himself, he understands how patients feel and takes extra care to make sure they feel comfortable and supported at every visit. When he’s not in the practice, you’ll likely find Dr Charlie cycling, cooking or tinkering with new projects.
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Kristina
Dental Hygienist and Oral Health Therapist
Kristina is a skilled dental hygienist with extensive experience in the field. She began as a dental therapist in 1997, and in 2000, she became dually qualified as a therapist and hygienist. Since 2014, she has been a valuable member of our practice, where she performs a wide range of responsibilities, including scaling and cleaning teeth, root debridement, taking radiographs, administering local anesthesia and educating patients on maintaining healthy teeth and gums. She also promotes supplements as an adjunct for oral health.
Kristina has a Diploma of Oral Health Therapy (Dip OHT) from Melbourne University, where she trained in dental therapy and hygiene. One of her favourite aspects of her job is building rapport with patients and helping them overcome their fear of dentistry. She also enjoys working alongside a supportive and talented team.
Kristina's path to dentistry began after completing three years of a Bachelor of Science degree at Monash University. Unsure of her next steps and not wanting to pursue a career in research or laboratory work, she discovered the Dip OHT course at Melbourne University, and the rest is history.
In her spare time, Kristina enjoys going to the movies, relaxing whenever she gets the chance and watching her son play basketball. A fun fact ...
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Marrion
Dental Nurse
Marrion is a dental nurse who has worked in dentistry since 2017 and has been a valued member of our practice since 2022. Trained in the Philippines, Marrion plays a multifaceted role in ensuring patient comfort and supporting our team. Her passion for helping people and positively impacting their lives drew her to the dental field. Growing up with positive dental experiences, she was inspired to combine her interest in health with her desire to support and comfort others. Being a dental nurse allows her to play a vital role in patient care, build meaningful relationships and work within a team.
In her spare time, Marrion enjoys lounging with a good book, taking long walks and indulging in her unique hobby of creating miniature dioramas. She crafts intricate, tiny scenes that bring detailed worlds to life. Another fun fact about Marrion is that she knows how to ride a horse.
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