Meet the team (Bristol)

Helen Leach

Qualifications: BDS, FDS RCS, MSc, M Orth RCS GDC No: 67522

Helen graduated in 1991 from Guy’s Hospital in London. Amongst other academic prizes, she was awarded the Lonnon Bursary for Orthodontics during her time there.

Following graduation Helen broadened her experience by working in a general dental practice in Berkshire, in the oral and maxillofacial surgery department in Taunton, and then in a restorative dentistry and children’s dentistry post in Bristol. During this time she gained a Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Three years of postgraduate training in orthodontics at Bristol Dental School culminated in specialist qualifications in orthodontics in 1999, (a Master’s Degree in orthodontics and a Royal College of Surgeons Membership in Orthodontics). Helen maintained links with Bristol Dental School by teaching orthodontics to dental students there for some years after her move to specialist practice.

Helen is a founding partner and director of Smile Solution. She sees both NHS and private patients at our Shirehampton branch in Bristol. She is registered as a recognised specialist orthodontist by the General Dental Council.

Joseph McGill

Qualifications: BDS, MSc, FDS RCPS, M Orth RCS, MSc GDC No: 67728

Joseph graduated in 1992 from the University of Glasgow and remained in the city for vocational training in general dentistry. A year of study at Newcastle Dental School then led to a Masters Degree (MSc) in Restorative Dentistry in 1994. During a further two years at Newcastle Dental School he attained the Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, achieving the award for best performance in those examinations in 1995.

In 1996 Joseph was appointed a specialist registrar at Bristol Dental Hospital and completed his Membership in Orthodontics from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1999 and was awarded a further Masters Degree by Research by the University of Bristol in 2000. Joseph is registered with the General Dental Council as an orthodontic specialist and is a founding partner and director of Smile Solution seeing both private and NHS patients.

Outside of Smile Solution, Joseph currently holds the Chair of the South West of England NHS advisory committee for orthodontics and oversees a private orthodontic service in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Suzanne Barlow

Qualifications: BDS, FDS RCS, MSc, M Orth RCS GDC No: 66134

Suzanne graduated as a dentist in 1990 from King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry in London. After spending several years in children’s dentistry, she gained further experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery and then general dentistry.

She is a Fellow in Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Her orthodontic postgraduate qualifications were awarded by the University of London and Royal College of Surgeons of England following 3 years specialist training at King’s.

Suzanne came to Bristol in 1999 and founded Smile Solution with her partners in 2004. She is now a director of Smile Solution Ltd. Suzanne practices in Bristol and Chepstow, seeing both private and NHS patients. She is registered as a recognised specialist orthodontist by the General Dental Council.

Katherine Leeming

Qualifications: BDS (Lon) MFDS RCS (Ed)

Originally from Yorkshire, Kate moved to Bristol once she completed her Dental Degree at King’s College University, London.

After graduating, she completed postgraduate training, including courses in pain management and sedation, as well as becoming a member of the English Royal College of Surgeons.

She works at White Tree Dental providing dental extractions, as well as teaching undergraduate students, providing sedation for dental extractions as well as providing general dentistry.

Kate has a very friendly chairside manner, and wants every one of her patients to feel happy and relaxed whilst in her surgery.

Samantha Braddock

Qualifications: BDS, DPDS GDC No: 68068

Sam graduated from Bristol University in 1992 and has over 20 years experience of general dental practice in both NHS and private practices.

Sam gained a Diploma in Postgraduate Dental Studies in 2001, a Certificate in Postgraduate Medical Education in 2014 and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Along side her dentistry in practice she also teaches and supervises undergraduate dental students as a Clinical Teacher at the School of Oral and Dental Studies, University of Bristol and is a Dental Postgraduate Tutor for Health Education England.

Sam joined Smile Solution in Bristol in 2010.

Claire Gazzard

Qualifications: CEB Dip Dent Hygiene 1998 GDC No: 5361

Claire qualified from Bristol Dental Hospital in 1998 as a Dental Hygienist. Since then she has worked in a private practice in Redland for over 18 years. We are delighted to have added her skills and experience to our team now. She works at our Bristol branch on Fridays.

On these sessions she is able to help, support and advise both children and adults with regards to maintaining good oral hygiene before, during and after treatment. Claire also scales and polishes the teeth, to maintain the health of our patients’ gums.

Working closely with the orthodontist and hygienist we hope that you will progress through treatment as smoothly as possible.

Sarah Twiggs

Sarah is the senior manager for our practices. She is a registered Care Quality Commission manager and has worked in dental practice management for over 15 years. Prior to this she has also worked as a dental practice receptionist, so her experience in dental and orthodontic matters is extensive.

Sarah is known for her friendly and approachable manner and if you have any comments about the practices or suggestions for us, she is keen to hear them.

Loni Williams

Qualifications: NEBDN 2011 GDC No: 219318

Loni qualified as a Dental Nurse from Bristol Dental Hospital in 2009. Over the years she has developed her skills by taking additional courses and training in radiography, impression taking and 3D scanning. Loni can be seen throughout the practice as she often works at reception.

Mellony Floyd

Qualifications: NEBDN 2006 GDC No: 147056

Mell has been dental nursing in orthodontic practices for 19 years, and worked on reception in an orthodontic practice prior to that. She has been our senior nurse since 2011.

In 2005 Mell received a formal qualification in orthodontic nursing (NNEB). Since then she has added to her skills with qualifications in radiography (taking x-rays), impression taking and 3D scanning.

Mell enjoys the variety of work in orthodontics, getting to know the families who come in, and seeing patients progress from an initial lack of confidence to a great smile at the end of treatment.

Nicola Bielby

Qualifications: NEBDSA 1992 GDC No: 134325

Nicky has worked as a dental nurse for over 20 years. She began her career in a general dental practice before moving to Gloucester Royal Hospital, where she worked for 2 years in the oral surgery and orthodontic departments. She then transferred to Bristol Dental Hospital where she took formal dental nursing qualifications and became a senior nurse in the orthodontic department there.

Nicky has undertaken further training in oral health education, radiography, impression taking and 3D scanning.

Nicky’s outside interests include enjoying time with her husband and two daughters and singing in her church choir. She is a real ‘people person’ and enjoys meeting patients and their families and getting to know them as their treatment progresses.

Becki Collett

Qualifications: NEBDN 2005, Dental Radiography 2006 GDC No: 135410

Becki began her career as a dental nurse in September 2000, age 17. She gained her National Certificate in Dental Nursing in May 2005 and also her dental Radiography Certificate in 2006. Becki has gained a wide range of experience in all areas of dentistry and in 2015 decided that her real passion was orthodontics and therefore decided that this was the path of dentistry that she would like to progress in. Becki, joined Smile Solution Ltd in January 2017.

Faye Daw

Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing 2013 GDC No: 245700

Since 2015 Faye has worked in orthodontic practices and has further developed her skills by qualifying in post graduated courses such as radiography and impression taking. She has also developed further skills by recently undertaking training in 3D scanning.

In Faye’s spare time she likes to spend time with family and friends, watching live music and has interests in fashion and art.

Faye enjoys the variety of work in work in orthodontics and can relate to patients, having wearing braces as a child and adult.

Louise Payne

Qualifications: NEBDN 1994, Dental Radiography 2009, Dip.Ortho Therapy 2012 GDC No: 128393

Louise has been in dentistry since 1992, starting as a dental surgery assistant and gaining her nursing qualification in 1994. During her time in dentistry she has gained extensive experience in several fields, including – Oral Surgery, Periodontics and Orthodontics. Whilst working with Orthodontics, Louise developed a keen interest and went on to gain her Orthodontic Therapy Diploma in 2012.