Meet our team

Our founders Rochelle McPherson and Carla Lejarraga have been excited by the possibilities of applying OM techniques to help their patients achieve a better level of health since meeting at an Orofacial Myology course in 2010. Since then they have completed many other courses in Orofacial Myofunctional Training and related disciplines, conducted formal research, and developed Australia’s leading Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy training provider.

They understand the importance of a team delivery approach for optimum results. Both have built successful private Orofacial Myology practices, and are founding members of the Australian Association of Orofacial Myology Inc.

Rochelle and Carla are at the forefront of Orofacial Myology, and are committed to sharing their extensive knowledge, experience and vision for the future of the industry in Australia.

Rochelle McPherson

Rochelle McPherson Rochelle is passionate about providing her clients with the best possible health tools to assist them in their journey to total wellness. She offers a unique approach to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, assisting patients to reach their treatment goals and is committed to advancing Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Australia through best practice and continuing education.

Rochelle is a highly sought after national and international speaker in the field of Orofacial Myology and the effects on growth and development, TMD and airways issues.

She believes in a holistic approach. No one body part works in isolation from the other. The muscles of the face, tongue and lips all play important roles in the growth, development and function of the body and are often overlooked. Her special interests include Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders, TMD and Sleep Disordered Breathing and Airways.

Rochelle incorporates a team approach with other health professionals to assist in a greater level of health and wellbeing.

She runs her Sydney-based Orofacial Myology Practice, OM Health, and is the past President and founding member of the Australian Association of Orofacial Myology.

In 1994, Rochelle graduated as a Dental Hygienist. She lectured at the University of Queensland to the Bachelor of Oral Health students between the years of 1998 to 2001. In 2010, Rochelle furthered her post graduate training as an Orofacial Myologist. She went onto further her studies in Orofacial Myology at NEO Health in Orlando, USA in 2011.

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Carla Lejarraga

Carla Lejarraga Carla graduated from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, with a Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Oral Health) in 2000. Carla has worked for the majority of her career in a neuromuscular dental practice, and has trained extensively in the United States and Australia in this field of dentistry.

Carla lectured for 7 years for Smile Dental's "Develop the Hygienist, Develop the Practice" workshop. She currently teaches Orofacial Myology practice to dental and speech professionals from all over Australia with The Australian academy of Orofacial Myology.

Carla trained with Sandra Coulson, COM in 2010 and furthered her orofacial myology knowledge in 2011 with The Academy of Orofacial Myology, California. Carla also trained with The Buteyko Clinic of Ireland in 2010 in California and is a qualified Breathing Educator.

Carla has been in private Orofacial Myology practice since 2011 and is director of The Smiley Face Clinic, a private practice where she teaches correct breathing and oral and facial muscle habits to children and adults. She is also the founder and director of the well known Thumbsucking Clinic and is sought after by parents from all over Australia for her work with children in this area. Carla works closely with dentists, orthodontists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to achieve the best results for her patients.

Carla is in demand as a speaker locally and internationally regarding her work in child facial development.

Recently Carla's research paper entitled "Influence of non-Orthodontic Intervention on Digit Sucking and Consequent anterior open bite - a preliminary study", was published in 2015 by the International Dental Journal, the official journal of the FDI World Dental Federation.

This is the first study to ever suggest a relationship between NOI - non-orthodontic intervention and the closure of anterior open bite suggesting for the first time an association between NOI and cessation of the digit sucking habit.

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Professional Positions Published Papers