With a career that spans continents and clinical specialties, Dr Edmeades brings a unique blend of experience, compassion, and curiosity to Cowra. Trained in London and further qualified in Australia, he has worked everywhere from cutting-edge cosmetic clinics in the UK to remote villages in Africa—offering everything from oral surgery to preventive care.

Now settled in regional NSW with his family (and a small farm’s worth of animals), Dr Edmeades is passionate about delivering personalised, high-quality dental care to the Cowra community. His approachable, patient-first philosophy is matched by a broad skill set that ensures locals no longer need to travel for advanced treatments.

From straw bale homes to fiddles, horses to health advocacy—this is a dentist who brings a full and colourful life to everything he does.

Personal Background

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in an international environment—my father worked in NGOs and aid organisations. I went to boarding school in the UK, which later led me to university studies in London.

What inspired you to become a dentist?
I’ve always been curious and loved building things—gadgets, models, anything hands-on. Dentistry is a fascinating blend of science, precision, and creativity. It’s also a window into overall health and offers the chance to genuinely help people. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a range of environments—from hospitals performing skin grafts and treating broken jaws, to preventive care in African villages.

Where did you study and train, and what kind of experience have you had?
I studied dentistry in London and completed postgraduate studies in implantology while working in Scotland. More recently, I’ve undertaken post grad qualifications in  advanced restorative training through the university of Sydney and also done two years of Orthodontic training.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey so far?
I moved to Australia 14 years ago. After working in a high-paced cosmetic and implant centre in the UK, I took a break to volunteer in Africa. That led to an opportunity to bring my surgical skills to Canberra. From there, I took on roles in rural Queensland, Darwin, Brisbane, and Sydney.

Move to Cowra

What motivated you to move from the city to Cowra?
I’ve always loved rural life, especially in Australia. My wife and I were growing tired of Sydney and wanted a quieter, more grounded lifestyle while our daughter was still young enough to embrace it. We wanted her to grow up as a country girl.

What were your first impressions of the town?
Cowra has exceeded our expectations. It’s not run-down like some might assume—it’s actually quite picturesque. We love the seasons, the hills, the river, and the genuine country-town feel. We’ve enjoyed exploring nearby areas like Wyangala and the local parks and forests.

What excites you most about working in a regional area?
Professionally, limited nearby services mean there’s an opportunity to offer broader, more advanced care to the community. I’d like to bring Sydney-level expertise to Cowra. Personally, the lifestyle is a huge draw—my wife and I both love horses and country life. She grew up in Spain with a rural background, and I spent time in Portugal, Ecuador, and Africa.

Family & Pets

Tell us about your family.
I live with my wife and our 8-year-old daughter. We all love the outdoors and are big animal lovers.

Have you moved here with your family?
Yes, and we’re just settling into a house now.

Do you have any pets—or plan to get some now that you’re in the country?
We already have a bit of a zoo! My daughter says we have “a pet bear and a dog”—the “bear” being a 75kg fluffball. We also have a high-energy horse, a short fat grumpy pony, and a 13-hand gelding who thinks he’s the black stallion. Our favourite might actually be Chelsea the chook—definitely the most useful.

How has your family settled in? What do you enjoy doing together?
We’re slowly settling in and getting into a rhythm. As a family, we love pretending we can muster, camping, and just enjoying time outdoors.

Approach to Dentistry

How would you describe your approach to patient care?
Options, prevention, and personalisation. I believe in being on “team patient”—helping people get where they want to go with their dental health. Some want the bare minimum, others want long-term solutions. My job is to offer tailored options and educate them on risks, habits, and outcomes.

I also believe in offering the full spectrum of treatment—whether it’s cosmetic work, bone grafting, or just a clean. That way, advice is unbiased and driven by patient needs, not limitations in what I can offer.

Do you have a specialty or area you’re particularly passionate about?
I enjoy the full scope of dentistry—that’s why I chose it. If I had to pick a focus, I’d say implant dentistry, given my background in oral and maxillofacial surgery. But I’ve also learned over time that just because you can reach for a scalpel doesn’t mean you always should.

How do you help nervous patients feel comfortable?
In the UK, I regularly used IV sedation and gas, but I’ve found it’s rarely necessary. When patients trust your intentions, skill, and that you’re batting for them, it makes a huge difference. Of course, that trust takes time—and that’s okay.

What’s one piece of dental advice everyone should follow?
Dental health is crucial to overall health. What you do at home is 90% of the equation. Lack of pain doesn’t mean nothing’s wrong. Poor oral health has been linked to issues like dementia and heart disease. I’ve diagnosed four oral cancers in the last six years during routine check-ups—patients who had no idea anything was wrong. Regular dental care and check ups really do matter.

Community Engagement

Are you looking forward to getting involved in the local community?
Absolutely. Patients have been very welcoming already, and I’m grateful for that. Once we’re settled, I’m looking forward to taking people up on their offers and getting involved.

What do you think is most important about providing dental care in a small town?
Trust. It goes both ways, and it’s the foundation of everything in a community like this.

Personal Interests & Lifestyle

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Right now, we’re building a straw bale house on our acreage—it’s testing our marriage vows, to be honest!

Have you discovered any favourite local spots?
Definitely. I’ve been loving the sandwiches at Gingerbird and Breakout, and enjoying dinners and morning coffee from Little Mexico and also steak at the Imperial.

Any hobbies that might surprise people?
I’ve taken up the fiddle and am learning the piano with my daughter.

Personal Insight

If someone asked, “What makes you tick?” what would you say?
Curiosity, learning, and quality time with my family.

What motivates you every day, personally and professionally?
Getting better—discovering new ways to do things and improve.

Is there a life lesson or philosophy that’s shaped you?
Two Swedish physicians have inspired me: Axel Munthe, a psychiatrist and author of The Story of San Michele, and Hans Rosling, an epidemiologist who wrote Factfulness. Both had profound insights into life and health. Rosling’s book was published posthumously after he died from pancreatic cancer, but it’s still one of the most important reads I’ve come across.