Dr Zanele Khumalo
Dentist and practice principal
BChD (Pretoria)
Dentist in Umhlanga Ridge, Durban
Family dentistry, explained as we go.
Check-ups, repairs, whitening and children's dentistry in a calm studio near Gateway. Time to talk, a written plan with costs, and same-day help when something hurts.
- 45 min
- first visits
- Same day
- emergency slots
- Direct
- medical aid claims
Open Saturdays
and until 18:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Treatments
Everyday dentistry, for the whole family.
Most of what we do is the quiet work that keeps teeth healthy for life: check-ups, repairs and sound advice. And when something goes wrong, we make time the same day.
Check-ups and cleaning
A full examination and a professional clean, so small problems are found while they are still small.
Read more
Fillings, crowns and root canals
Repairing decayed, cracked or worn teeth with tooth-coloured materials, and saving teeth that would otherwise be lost.
Read more
Teeth whitening
Dentist-supervised whitening with custom trays, after a check that it is safe and suitable for your teeth.
Read more
Children's dentistry
Gentle first visits, check-ups and fillings for children, with time to get comfortable.
Read more
Dental emergencies
Same-day appointments for toothache, swelling, broken and knocked-out teeth, kept free every weekday.
Read moreYour first visit
What happens when you walk in.
If it has been a while, or the last visit was not a good one, knowing what to expect helps. Here is the first appointment, step by step.
Book a first visit- 1
Before you arrive
A short form about your health and any medicines you take, sent by email. Bring your medical aid card if you have one.
- 2
A conversation first
We start with what is bothering you, if anything, and what you would like from your teeth. You talk, we listen.
- 3
Examination and X-rays
A full check of your teeth, gums, bite and mouth, with low-dose digital X-rays only where they are needed.
- 4
A clear plan
You leave with a written plan, in order of priority, with the cost of each step and what medical aid usually covers.
For nervous patients
Anxious about the dentist? You are in good company.
Many of our patients arrive nervous. Tell us when you book, and we plan the appointment around it.
- Time to talk
- First appointments are booked for 45 minutes, so nothing is rushed.
- You can stop at any time
- Raise a hand and we stop. Agree on the signal before we start.
- Numbing that works
- Topical gel before injections, and we check you are numb before we begin.
- Inhalation sedation
- Nitrous oxide, sometimes called laughing gas, is available for nervous patients and longer treatments.
Something wrong?
What should I do right now?
Three quick questions for toothache, broken or knocked-out teeth, bleeding and lost fillings. You get the next step and simple first aid. It runs in your browser and nothing is sent.
Your next step will show here.
Answer the questions to see what to do next. This is general first-aid guidance, not a diagnosis. If you are worried, call us on 031 830 4471.
Our team
The people you will see.
Three dentists, a hygienist and a practice manager. All clinical staff are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Meet the team
Dr Pieter Joubert
Dentist
BChD (Western Cape)
Dr Megan Fourie
Dentist
BDS (Witwatersrand)
Thandi Mthembu
Oral hygienist
B Oral Hygiene (Western Cape)
Carla Pretorius
Practice manager
Medical aid and accounts
Fees and medical aid
Costs you know before we start.
We submit claims directly to most medical aids. Anything beyond a check-up is quoted in writing first, with the codes your scheme needs.
Fees and medical aid in full| Treatment | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Consultation and examination | R650 to R900 |
| Scale and polishWith the hygienist | R750 to R1 100 |
| Digital X-raysPer image, only when needed | R250 to R450 |
| Tooth-coloured fillingDepends on size | R950 to R2 200 |
| Root canal treatmentDepends on the tooth | R5 500 to R9 500 |
| CrownIncluding laboratory fees | R8 500 to R12 500 |
Fees include VAT where it applies and vary with the complexity of the treatment.
Visit us
Five minutes from Gateway.
- Suite 4, 18 Meridian Drive, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban, 4319
- 031 830 4471
- hello@maruladental.co.za
Free visitor parking in the basement, with a lift to our floor.
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday
- 08:00 to 17:00
- Tuesday and Thursday
- open until 18:30
- Saturday
- 08:00 to 12:00
- Sunday and public holidays
- closed
Emergency slots are kept free every weekday. Out of hours, the message on our line explains what to do.
Patient guides
Good to know.
Short, practical guides for patients and parents.
All patient guides3 minute read
Knocked-out tooth: what to do in the first 30 minutes
Step-by-step first aid for a knocked-out adult tooth, what to do differently for a baby tooth, and when to go to hospital instead of the dentist.
Read the guide4 minute read
Your child's first dental visit
When to book a first dental visit, what happens at it, how to prepare your child, and simple habits that protect baby teeth at home.
Read the guide4 minute read
Dental fees and medical aid: understanding co-payments
How South African medical aids pay for dentistry, why there can be a co-payment, and the questions to ask before treatment so there are no surprises.
Read the guideQuestions
Questions patients ask.
Do you accept medical aid?
Yes. We can submit claims directly to most South African medical schemes. We charge our own rates, which can be higher than your scheme's rate, so there may be a co-payment. We tell you what to expect before treatment.
I have not been to a dentist in years. Is that a problem?
Not at all, and you will not get a lecture. We start with a conversation and an examination, then agree on a plan at a pace that suits you.
Do you see children?
Yes, from their first tooth. Dr Megan Fourie sees most of our younger patients, and first visits are kept short and relaxed.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
Call us. We keep time free every weekday for urgent problems. If you have swelling that spreads towards your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to a hospital emergency unit straight away.
Can I get a quote before treatment?
Always. Anything beyond a routine check-up is quoted in writing first, item by item, so you can check it with your medical aid.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is free visitor parking in the building's basement, with a lift to our floor.
Ready when you are.
Book online in a minute, or call and talk to Carla. Same-day slots for anything urgent.