Dr. Julian Haszard, Director SmileHigh
BDS (Otago), DCD (Melb), MOrth RCSEd, MRACDS (Orth)

Julian who is 32 years old, grew up on a farm in Taranaki, New Zealand. While studying dentistry at the University of Otago, Julian undertook officer training in the New Zealand Army. In 1998 Julian began mountaineering with a group of Dunedin climbers. His climbing skills were further developed through courses with the New Zealand Army Adventurous Training Centre in 2000 and 2001. Subsequently Julian moved to London to practice dentistry and in 2002 took the opportunity to climb in the French Alps, summiting Mt Blanc in 2002.

In 2003 Julian visited Nepal for the first time and climbed Cho Oyo 8201m (the sixth highest mountain in the world) in the Himalayas, at the border between China and Nepal. The expedition was led by Russell Brice, director of the mountaineering company Himalayan Experience (Himex). Following the expedition Julian spent four weeks working as a volunteer dentist with Dr Mingma Sherpa in the Khumbu Valley in Nepal. During this period Mingma and Julian envisaged and established the early plans for SmileHigh. In 2004 Julian returned to Nepal and summited Mt Everest 8848m with Himex on 23 May 2004.

In 2005 Julian commenced a three year doctorate in orthodontics at the University of Melbourne and during this time worked with New Zealander Trevor Moyle establishing a foundation for SmileHigh. Since 2004 Julian has lead two dental missions to Nepal to work with Mingma and the SmileHigh dental team in the field. Julian is currently practicing orthodontics in the United Kingdom.