Meet the team (Chepstow)
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.
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.
David Heads
Qualifications: BDS, MJDF RCS, M Orth RCS, MSc GDC No: 113619
David qualified as a dentist from Newcastle University in 2007 and worked in the North East of England for 2 years in general dentistry, community dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Following this he lived and worked in Melbourne, Australia, before travelling around Australia, New Zealand and India. On his return he took posts in general dental practice in Glasgow, then oral and maxillofacial surgery in Bristol. David completed his orthodontic postgraduate training at Birmingham Dental Hospital and his Membership in Orthodontics was awarded in 2015 at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
David practices at our Chepstow branch, treating both NHS and private patients. He is registered as a recognised specialist orthodontist by the General Dental Council.
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.
Abby Staples
Qualifications: Dental Nursing NEBDN 2015, Dip.Ortho Therapy 2021
GDC Number: 259751
Abby has been in dentistry since 2013 starting as a student dental nurse and gaining her nursing qualification in 2013. During her time in dentistry she has gained experience is multiple fields including oral surgery, special care, paediatric dentistry & orthodontics. Abby developed a keen interest in Orthodontics and went on to gain her Orthodontic Therapy Diploma in 2021. In Abby’s spare time she enjoys spending time at the gym, running and spending time with friends and family.
Linda Roberts
GDC No: 111270
Linda qualified as a dental nurse in 1984 and became a practice manager in 1998. She worked in a local dental practice for 19 years before moving to Chepstow Orthodontic Practice in 2001 where she is practice manager and nurse. Linda has undertaken further training in radiography and impression taking.
Her outside interests include cooking, gardening and walking.
Mani Silva
GDC No: 129618
I have been working in dentistry since my early 20’s. After many years as a general dental nurse the opportunity arose to move into orthodontics which I thoroughly enjoy, and hope to continue for many years. I am also a qualified dental implants nurse and a qualified phlebotomist.
My interests out of work include, family life, field sports, reading and cooking.
Tatiana
Tatiana initially joined the practice in 2020 as a greeter during the pandemic but quickly settled into a role as a part-time receptionist as well. More recently, Tatiana has taken the opportunity to work on reception full time. Outside of work, Tatiana likes to spend her free time gaming or reading, and has a particular interest in collecting houseplants.