About Smilez
Making people smile since 2010
Smilez Dental Surgery was founded in March 2010, by Dr. Thembeka Buleni. The surgery offers basic and specialized dental services and is well known for high-quality dental treatment. We have been quite successful in alleviating emergency dental pain and delivering painless dentistry. We are proud of our notably high rate of patient satisfaction. Our surgery is currently serving smiles to customers in Witbank; and surrounding areas.
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At Smilez Dental Surgery, we’re committed to providing you and your loved ones with exceptional care in a compassionate and friendly atmosphere. Located in Emalahleni, Smilez Dental Surgery is known to be the best Dental Clinic in the area. We believe that our patients deserve the best care, and we make an effort to make sure you always feel welcome and at ease.
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Whether you’re coming in for a simple checkup or a more complex treatment regimen, our dedicated team of dental health practitioners has the skills and resources to manage all your dental health needs. We can’t wait to help you feel better today.
Meet Dr. Buleni
Passionate about making renewed smiles.
Dr. Thembeka Buleni has built an exceptional career at the intersection of clinical excellence and business innovation. After graduating from the Medical University of South Africa (Medunsa) in 2007, she launched her dental career with a clear vision of transforming smiles and lives.
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Entrepreneurial Journey
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In 2010, Dr. Buleni founded Smilez Dental Surgery, where she continues to nurture her passion for dentistry while building a thriving practice. Recognizing the importance of business acumen in healthcare, she earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2016, graduating with distinction and majoring in financial management. This unique combination of clinical expertise and business insight led her to establish the Dental Practice Management Academy, where she mentors and coaches fellow dentists in practice excellence.
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Recognition and Leadership
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Dr. Buleni's contributions to dentistry have earned her numerous prestigious accolades. She was a runner-up for the Health Excellence Mpumalanga Award and Dentist of the Year in both 2019 and 2022. In 2021, she made history as the first African winner of the Smart Integration Awards in the innovative infection control & prevention category, representing not only South Africa but the entire African continent.
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Her leadership extends beyond her practice through her role as a non-executive director of the South African Dental Association (SADA) from 2021 to 2024. In 2023, she received both the Mpumalanga Health Excellence Award and was honored as Health Care Professional Mentor of the Year, while also being recognized as runner-up for Most Compassionate Healthcare Provider of the Year.
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Broader Impact
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As a sought-after keynote speaker and media personality, Dr. Buleni has appeared as a guest dentist on the DSTV cosmetic makeover show "Wraak My Mooi," where she transformed contestants' smiles and confidence. She co-authored the book "Life Business Minds," contributing a chapter titled "A Heart for Dentistry and a Mind for Business," and was featured in Ignited Woman magazine's February/March 2024 issue.
Committed to oral health education, Dr. Buleni hosts her own YouTube channel (Dr. TCN Buleni) dedicated to oral health awareness, making dental knowledge accessible to the broader community.
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Continuous Growth
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Never one to rest on her achievements, Dr. Buleni completed her Masters in Clinical Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry in 2025, further enhancing her ability to create beautiful, healthy smiles.
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Personal Passion
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As a devoted mother to twin daughters, Dr. Buleni brings the same care and attention to her family as she does to her patients. Her greatest fulfillment comes from enhancing people's smiles and witnessing the joy and confidence that transformation brings. Through her innovative practice management systems, she has created efficient, patient-centered care that makes dental excellence both manageable and accessible.
Dr. Buleni embodies the perfect blend of clinical mastery, business acumen, and genuine compassion—truly living her philosophy of having "a heart for dentistry and a mind for business."
Awards
Our Services
Orthodontics
Veneers
Whitening
Crown & Bridge
Root Canal Treatments
Restorations
Claer Ortho Aligners
Extractions
Our surgery is equipped with the latest technology in dentistry. We offer a comprehensive list of services that will take care of all your oral health needs.
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Whether you’re coming in for a simple checkup or a more complex treatment regimen, our dedicated team of dental practitioners has the skills and resources to manage all your dental health needs. We can’t wait to help you feel better today.
Meet The Smilez Family
Exceeding Expectations One Patient at a Time
At Smilez Dental Surgery, we provide our patients with access to state-of-the-art facilities along with the most experienced and dedicated dentistry professionals. In 2010, Smilez Dental Surgery opened its doors to patients in the city of Emalahleni. Since then, our mission has been to provide quality care in a safe environment — earning us a reputation as the best Dental Surgery in the area.
From Nutrition Consultations to Pediatric checkups to same-day crowns, our personalized services allow us to manage whatever health concerns our patients might have. Book an appointment today and see what we can do for you or your loved ones.
Out Reach
We Care About Our Emalahleni Community
Smilez Dental Surgery cares about the oral health needs of everyone… that’s why we’ve made as much effort as possible to reach out to our community. Our oral health education campaigns have been running since the practice was founded. We have delivered oral health education, instructions, demonstration, and dental screening to children in various schools in Witbank. For the children requiring further attention; we gave them letters for their parents recommending that they be taken to the nearest dentist or hospital.
Our initiative also offers jobs to the local community, whereby people are hired to help with the project. Besides working with Umsobomvu Youth Development Agency in the Witbank area since year 2010; we’ve also been on several shows on Emalahleni FM, and Radio Kragbone. Our presentations covered the following topics; basic things you need to know about dentistry, diseases related to dentistry, good dental habits, and career guidance.
Students and young learners are close to our heart at Smilez Dental Surgery. We are proud to have had the opportunity to visit a lot of schools in Witbank; Pat May – Lollipop Tasbet, Little Smurfs, Duvha park nursery, Bimbo Pre-school, Anchor In Knowledge Preschool, Duvha Park Primary, Greendale Combined School, Kopanong High school, Blackhill Schoongezicht Primary School and Pine Ridge Secondary School. Our practice is open to all current and future dentistry students for career guidance and advice.
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We are also available for presentations; companies and workplaces can contact us to come and talk about dental health practices. In most cases, oral health awareness is reserved for children in schools... this is how we at Smilez Dental Surgery are balancing things and filling the gap - by making campaigns that target older working demographics.