Our Specialist Orthodontists

Dr Igor G. Lavrin

BDS (Adelaide), MMSc (Harvard)

Dr Igor Lavrin grew up in both Melbourne and Hong Kong. He received his dental education at the University of Adelaide, before returning to work as a general dentist in Melbourne.

Furthering his expertise, Dr Lavrin completed a three-year Orthodontic specialist programme and Master’s degree at Harvard University in the United States. He has been the recipient of numerous awards for scholastic and clinical excellence and published articles in Orthodontic and scientific literature.

Dr Lavrin has worked in private Orthodontic practice in Massachusetts, USA, and lectured internationally in the United States, Canada and throughout Asia as well as in Australia and New Zealand.

He was formerly a Clinical Consultant and Lecturer for Invisalign^® in the Asia-Pacific region for almost a decade and held Black Diamond status with Invisalign^®. Dr Lavrin has taught Orthodontics to dental students at Harvard University and in the Orthodontic department at the University of Melbourne. He is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the Orthodontic Department at the University of Western Australia.

Dr Lavrin is married to Dr Sarah Lawrence and the proud father of three daughters.

Meet Specialist Orthodontist Dr Sarah C. Lawrence

BDS (Otago), MDSc (Melbourne)

Dr Sarah Lawrence is a Specialist Orthodontist with a strong academic and clinical background. Originally from New Zealand, she completed her dental degree at the University of Otago before undertaking three years of specialist orthodontic training at the University of Melbourne.

Since 2004, Dr Lawrence has been in private practice alongside her husband, Dr Igor Lavrin. She has also worked at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, as part of the Craniofacial Unit, contributing to multidisciplinary care for patients with complex needs.

Dr Lawrence plays a key role in shaping the next generation of orthodontists. She is a Clinical Tutor and Lecturer in the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program at the University of Melbourne, where she also supervises ongoing research projects and has been published in the Orthodontic Literature. Her passion for education has taken her around the world as a speaker, with presentations across Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, South Korea, India, and the United States. She also served for nearly a decade as a Clinical Consultant and Lecturer for Invisalign in the Asia-Pacific region.

Outside of work, Dr Lawrence enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, Dr Igor Lavrin, their three daughters and dog Otto. Sarah also has a love of cooking and gardening.

Dr Sarah Louise Roath

BSc (Melbourne), DDS (Melbourne), DCD (Melbourne)

Dr Sarah Roath grew up in Melbourne and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science, then went on to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery postgraduate degree.

Graduation brought Dr Roath to sunny Brisbane, where she worked as a general dentist before returning to her hometown to complete the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics at the University of Melbourne.

Dr Roath has a keen interest in scientific dental research, which led her to win the International Association of Dental Research ANZ Division Research Poster Competition and allowed her to subsequently present this research internationally at the 2022 IADR General Session and Exhibition.

Dr Roath has gone on to present her area of interest to her fellow specialist orthodontists and paediatric dental specialists at the combined Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD) and Australian Society of Orthodontics (ASO) meeting in 2025. She is a professional member of the Australian Society of Orthodontists, the Australian Dental Association, and a certified member of the Australasian Orthodontic Board.

In her spare time, Dr Roath enjoys supporting local live music, culture, and arts, following the Richmond Tigers AFL team, and tending to her indoor plant collection.

Meet Specialist Orthodontist Dr Laura Chen

BDSc (Hons) (Queensland), DCD (Melbourne)

Dr Laura Chen grew up in Brisbane and graduated from the University of Queensland Dental School with Honours. Following graduation, she relocated to Melbourne where she worked as a general dentist in both the private and public sectors. She then went on to complete her three-year specialist orthodontic training at the University of Melbourne.

Dr Chen has published papers in several peer-reviewed journals on orthodontics, endodontics, and pharmacology and has also presented her research internationally. She is also passionate about contributing to the dental community, having served on committees with the Australian Dental Association Victoria Branch and as a former President of the Melbourne Dental Postgraduate Group. She is a member of the Australian Society of Orthodontists, and the Australian Dental Association, and a certified member of the Australasian Orthodontic Board.

Outside of orthodontics, Dr Chen has been teaching group fitness classes for the past decade and is also an avid long-distance runner. In her spare time, she enjoys training for her next marathon with her partner.

Meet Specialist Orthodontist Dr Sama Junaid

DDS, MFD RCS (IRE), MClinDent Orth (UCL), MOrth RCS (Ed)

Dr Sama Junaid is a Specialist Orthodontist dedicated to creating confident, healthy smiles through personalised orthodontic care. She brings a warm, patient-focused approach to treatment and is committed to ensuring every patient feels comfortable, supported, and cared for throughout their smile journey. Fluent in both English and Arabic, Dr Sama enjoys connecting with patients from diverse backgrounds and building lasting relationships with families.

Dr Sama completed her Master’s Degree in Orthodontics (MClinDent Orthodontics) at the internationally renowned University College London (UCL) Eastman Dental Hospital in London, UK. She later obtained her specialist orthodontic qualification — Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth RCSEd) — from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

During her final year of training, Dr Sama presented her research at the European Orthodontic Society Congress in Montreux, Switzerland, competing for the prestigious Houston Award. Her research was subsequently published in the British Dental Journal and later presented at the British Orthodontic Conference in Manchester, UK, where she was also awarded the prize for Best Treated MOrth Case.

Following her move to Melbourne, Dr Sama worked as an academic tutor at La Trobe University and has since gained extensive clinical experience treating patients throughout Melbourne. She is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based orthodontic care tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

Dr Sama is dedicated to continuous professional development and regularly attends orthodontic conferences and advanced training courses to remain up to date with the latest techniques, research, and innovations in orthodontics and facial aesthetics.

Outside of orthodontics, Dr Sama enjoys spending quality time with her family and young son. She also loves Pilates and travelling and particularly enjoys combining international orthodontic conferences with the opportunity to explore new countries and cultures.