Our team of professionals are highly skilled and very experienced.
Dr. Andrew Johnson
Dr. J. was born in Halifax, grew up in Waverley, and now lives Fall River, NS with his wife Suzie, two sons Gavin and Ethan, and dogs Milo and Rocky. After receiving his Bachelor of Science at Saint Mary's University in 2003, he went on to get his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Dalhousie Faculty of Dentistry, graduating in 2008. After being a patient at the practice for many years, he joined Drs. Worthen and Penwell after graduating in June 2008.
Dr. Johnson is a member of the Nova Scotia Dental Association and Canadian Dental Association. He enjoys all aspects of dentistry with particular interests in restorative dentistry, root canal therapy, dental extractions, placing and restoring dental implants, and administer Botulinum Neurotoxin-A (i.e. Botox and Dysport). Dr Johnson keeps up with current trends in dentistry through continuing education to help provide quality patient care.
Outside of the office, Dr. Johnson can usually be found at the hockey rink or on the ski hills in the winter, and at the baseball field during the summer.
Dr. Terry Worthen
Dr. Worthen graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science degree (Major in Biology) and subsequently attended Dalhousie University's Dental school and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. While at Dalhousie he was the recipient of numerous awards including The Bruce Ferguson Memorial Award presented for leadership, character, scholarship and outstanding personal qualities during your years of Dental Study.
Dr. Worthen is a member of the Nova Scotia Dental Association and the Canadian Dental Association. He is a part time clinical instructor at Dalhousie University's Dental School, a board member on the Appeals Committee for the Nova Scotia Provincial Dental Board and both an Examiner and Facilitator with the National Dental Examination Board based out of Ottawa ON. He was the lead dentist for the 2022 Canoe/Kayak World Championships and, along with Dr. Alex Burk, continues to be the team dentist for the Halifax Mooseheads and Dalhousie Men's Hockey team. His focus lately is on digital dentistry with a special interest in aligner based orthodontic treatment. He attends many continuing education courses to stay up to date with the ever evolving world of dentistry.
Dr. Worthen lives in Dartmouth with his wife Jennifer and they have two children, both of whom have followed the dental career path and are graduates of Dalhousie's Dental School (Josh D.D.S. 23 and Brandon D.D.S. 24). Outside of dentistry, Dr. Worthen enjoys learning about healthy living, working out, biking, running and challenging himself to pretty well any endurance event that will push his limits to discover what's physically possible.
"Success in our career is truly the relationships we are lucky enough to develop along the way...it's the journey and not the end point, that counts" Dr. W.
Dr. Shelley Nagle
Dr. Shelley Nagle has worked in the dental industry for 4 decades. Her initial career was as a certified dental assistant. In 2002, she graduated from Dalhousie Dental School. For the past 23 years Dr. Nagle has provided outstanding clinical care to a variety of populations in various locations. General and family dentistry have always been her passion, but her love of community and service have taken her to remote locations across Canada. She has provided service for Indigenous families in remote communities and ensured our Canada’s military members were ready for deployment abroad. Dr. Nagle has guided future dentists with her teaching at Dalhousie Dental School. Aside from practicing dentistry as a full-time job, Dr. Nagle prides herself in staying current with continuing education. In Dr. Nagle’s spare time she enjoys the great outdoors by hiking, gardening and spending quality time with her two Labrador rescues, Maverick and Goose.
Dr. Arhum Niaz
Dr. Niaz was born in South Africa and moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, in 2010. She went on to earn both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degrees from the University of Saskatchewan. After graduating from dental school in 2024, she began her career in Edmonton, where she spent a year delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. She later made the move from the Prairies to the East Coast, where she continues to serve her community with dedication and compassion.
Dr. Niaz is known for her gentle approach and her commitment to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment for every patient. She values open communication and takes the time to educate patients about their oral health—ensuring they feel informed, confident and empowered in their treatment decisions.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Niaz enjoys hiking, traveling, discovering new cafes and restaurants, baking and binging a good show. She’s always happy to hear your food and travel recommendations during your visit!
Dr. Niaz looks forward to building strong, lasting relationships with her patients and making a meaningful impact in her new community of Halifax and Dartmouth.
Dr. Ruth Myers
Dr. Ruth Myers was born and raised in Halifax. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Sciences with focuses in Chemistry and Biophysics from the University of Guelph and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Toronto. After eight years in Ontario, where she could often be found at a Blue Jays game or a concert, she is excited to bring her knowledge and enthusiasm back to the Maritimes! Understanding that the dentist can be a daunting experience, Dr. Myers prioritizes empathy and clear communication above all else. She has a special passion for pediatric care, drawing on years of experience as a swim instructor with children to ensure they feel safe, comfortable and at ease in the dental chair.
Outside the office, Dr. Myers loves taking advantage of Nova Scotia’s beautiful outdoors. Whether she is at the beach, cooking, reading or staying active with friends and family, she enjoys every opportunity to connect with her community. She looks forward to getting to know her patients!
Dr. Hanine El-Mawed
Dr. Hanine El-Mawed earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Toronto after completing a Master of Science in Global Health at McMaster University. Her background in global health helped shape her patient-centered approach to care and her commitment to providing treatment that is both evidence-based and tailored to each individual’s needs.
Dr. El-Mawed enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with special interests in restorative dentistry, root canal therapy, prosthodontics, and dental extractions. She is passionate about helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles and believes that building trust and open communication are key to a positive dental experience. Whether a patient is coming in for a routine visit or more complex treatment, she strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel comfortable, informed, and supported every step of the way.
Dr. El-Mawed is a member of the Nova Scotia Dental Association and the Canadian Dental Association. She regularly participates in continuing education to stay current with the latest advancements in dentistry and provide the highest quality of care.
Outside of the office, Dr. El-Mawed enjoys planning her next travel adventure, exploring different cultures through food, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to building lasting relationships with her patients and becoming a trusted part of their oral healthcare journey.