HEE East of England

Nilesh Limani (ES since 2023) - I have been with Obex Dental for 10 years, as an associate; currently work in Hemel Smile Studios, for the last 6 years as a general dentist. I qualified from Barts & The London in 2012 and completed my FD year on the East London & City scheme, completing my MFDS in this time. I have completed further courses in Advanced Operative Aesthetics & Restorative Dentistry by Aspire in 2017 and a Botox & Facial Dermal Filler course in 2018.
I have always had a passion for teaching and supported young dentists, informally, to improve their skills. My aim is to help you grow into a competent, confident and caring practitioner with high ethical and moral standards. To help me support you in your time at Obex, I have partnered up with Abida Hirij. We have known each other 9 years inside and outside of a professional environment, sharing similar morals, interests and we are confident that we can invest the right amount of time with you to see you thrive within the practice.
I try to obtain a good work/ life balance and encourage my team and colleagues to do likewise. Outside of dentistry I try to keep fit, enjoy traveling. I am family orientated and appreciate spending time and creating memories with them.

Abida Hirji (Es since 2023) - I qualified from Kings College London in 2011 and completed my Foundation Training year with the London Deanery. I completed the MJDF qualification in 2012 and a certificate in Restorative Dental Practice at the Eastman Dental Institute in 2015.
Since graduating, I have worked in general practice and have worked for Obex for the last 11 years and particularly enjoy restorative, aesthetic dentistry and treating children. I enjoy teaching and have helped newly graduated associates which have joined the practice with their clinical work. I always aim to provide good quality ethical dentistry and look forward to mentoring you clinically into a confident clinician. My hobbies include going to the gym and playing tennis.

Abida Hirji
GDC Number: 211279

Practice Address: Hemel Smile Studio, 69 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. HP11LE
Google Map Link

Description:
Hemel Smile Studios Marlowes, is part of Obex Dental, and is a busy long-established family orientated dental practice, with a strong emphasis on good quality continuing care, located in the centre of Hemel Hempstead. It is a newly refurbished, air conditioned, 5-surgery practice organized over 2 floors, and has a blend of NHS and private patients.
The practice continues to move at pace with technology; Kavo dental chairs, digital sensors and phosphor plates, fibre optic hand pieces, iTero Scanners, OPG, Cerec same day crown system, Pulp testers, Apex locators, rotary endo systems, Prophy stain removal kit, Rondo-flex air abrasion kit, multiple composite and matrix systems are all on hand to enhance daily life. All surgeries have computer with Exact software,tablets,and parking is available for the DFT.

The clinical team are dedicated and established in supporting each other in their different aspects of dentistry. Furthermore, you will have access to our sister specialist referral centre (Hertfordshire Centre for Dentistry) for exposure to high end specialist treatment.
Making the transition from university to life in dentistry doesn’t need to be daunting, we have an amazing team of qualified nurses, who are trained in radiography and oral health, some trainee nurses too (Kings College), and a reception team that will support you with your diary management, alongside an open-door policy you will be fully supported in your learning needs – we all want you to succeed.

Location:
Hemel Hempstead has a lovely old town which has been used for many movie sets, including Tom Hanks in Masters of the Air and recently ‘After life’ with Ricky Gervais. The town has a variety of clothing shops and places to eat including restaurants and coffee shops. There is also beautiful park situated minutes walking distance from the practice if you love to get those steps in over lunch!

Hemel Hempstead is a town in the Dacorum district in Hertfordshire, it has direct links into London (Euston) via train in approximately 30 minutes and has easy access to the M1 at J8.

Other Points of Interest:
Hemel Smile Studio is part of Obex Dental, which means collectively we have a wealth of experience, whether it is in dentistry or simply life, we can pretty much guarantee someone will be able to help you!
We don’t just see the patients that come through our doors, we are passionate about the community and trying to make sure that children have access to oral health care. We aim to create ‘pop up’ clinics to educate and provide access, whilst also taking on children under the NHS. This is also why we are supporting “Dallaglio Rugbyworks” who receive 100% of all our sundry sales, this helps them work with young people aged 12-18 who are experiencing school exclusion to help support them in realising their full potential for the future.

Practice Website:
https://www.hemelsmilestudios.co.uk

Originally from up north, I qualified from Leeds Dental Institute in 2013 and found my way onto the Norwich scheme for my DFT year, followed by a year in the NNUH Maxillofacial department as a DCT. I joined the Special Care Dental services in 2015 where I have been since. I completed my PGCert in Dental Education during my second maternity leave in 2021 – a very busy year indeed! I have been an ES since 2022.

My interest in teaching started in my university years and I am excited to support a new Therapist to encourage all of their skills and enjoy practicing the full breadth of their scope. At the forefront of my aims for the year is to work together with the DTFT to hone their skills, build their confidence and knowledge and optimise competency, as well as providing training and mentorship.

I enjoy a holistic approach to dentistry and the variety of challenges working in a Special Care Service provides; medically compromised patients, those with additional needs, general anaesthetics and sedation. My personal area of interest is paediatrics and treatment of anxious children and I am currently undertaking an MSc in Paediatric Dentistry. I am also an active member of our local BDA committee and attend LDC meetings to keep up to date with local developments.

I live in Norwich with my husband and 4 and 5 year old, outside of work you will normally find the four of us on the Norfolk Coast or searching for cafes with good coffee and snacks!

Practice Address: Siskin Dental Centre , Bowthorpe Road , Norwich, Norfolk. NR2 3TU
Google Map Link

Description:
The Siskin Dental Centre is one of five within our Norfolk and Waveney group of practices forming part the Community Dental Services team operating from all around the country, and we provide NHS treatment. All surgeries are fully equipped and each has digital intraoral radiograph facilities with an OPG machine on site. We have on site car-parking space and central sterilisation sent to our Lowestoft clinic.

Treatment is provided to a variety of adults and children who are unable to access general dental care due to medical, social, mental health or additional needs. We see regular patients, new referrals and one off courses of treatment where we stabilise the oral health and discharge back to GDP to continue care.

Along with our dentists, clinicians include a Specialist in Special Care, a therapist, and highly skilled nurses with additional qualifications in radiography and sedation. The practice is a 3 chair practice located in a community hospital close to the centre of the city but also close to amenities a short walking distance away. All clinical staff are ILS trained which the DTFT will undergo also. We run inhalation sedation appointments daily as well as regular intravenous sedation clinics and general anaesthetic lists for our patients which the DTFT can learn more about during their year with us.

Location:
Norwich is a safe, vibrant, and exciting city with a variety of cafes, high end restaurants, bars, museums, independent shops and live music venues all around. There are several areas with nightlife as well as multiple shopping centres allowing plenty to do in the day and night. Once out of Norwich you have access to the beautiful Norfolk Broads and Coast where you can take up a variety of activities such as sailing, cycling, climbing, walking and many more. All of this is easily accessible by car, bus or train from Norwich. If you would like to travel further afield to Cambridge or London, there are frequent trains running all days of the week.

Other Points of Interest:
Within the Norfolk and Waveney group, we have monthly clinical team meetings to discuss interesting cases, improvements to the service and changes in policies. We meet quarterly for full team meetings which are a sociable and learning opportunity for all staff, including non-clinical. We would encourage the FDT to take part in these during the foundation year.

We are a caring, supportive and encouraging group and we are excited to welcome a new member to our team!

Practice Website:
https://www.communitydentalservices.co.uk/our-clinics/norfolk-waveney/

I was an ES 2007-2012 and a Dental Therapist Trainer since 2022
I qualified at the London Hospital in 2002, being one of the first 2 to be signed off for Finals.

I have been at the Practice since 2004 and Principal since 2007

Previously I had qualified and worked as a lawyer in the City but have never regretted becoming a dentist

We look forward to welcoming you!

Practice Address: Bedwell Dental Surgery, 62 Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. SG1 1LX
Google Map Link

Description:

Location:
We are based in Stevenage Hertfordshire, SG1 1LX just off the A1(M), 30 minutes from London OR 5 minutes from Stevenage Overground station. Parking is in front of the Surgery.

We are situated in a residential area.

All the big name shops as well as extensive leisure facilities are in the multiple retail parks in Stevenage.

At the same time within minutes you are in beautiful country side

Other Points of Interest:
i hope to help you grow in your time with us. i hope to be much more than just a boss but also a mentor. Dentistry is the best job in the world, I love it and would not change my profession for the world.

We look forward to you joining us!

Practice Website:
No website available

I'm one of the dentists working in the Special Care Dental Service in Cambridge. I have worked in Special Care since 2009, and find it a really interesting and rewarding job.
Previous to this, I worked in private and NHS general dental practice.
From 2010 to 2015 I was on the board of directors of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Outside of clinical work, I am involved in a diverse mix of other roles here in Cambridge.

I'm Assistant Professor of Dental Education University of Cambridge, and Course Director on the Masters in Clinical Medicine, with responsibility for the Certificate in Clinical Research, Education and Leadership. I enjoy the aspects of a portfolio career, where I have a mix of job roles and responsibilities. It has been a fun journey finding what mix suits best for job satisfaction.

Clinically, I am Senior Dentist with the Special Care Dental Services. I see a wide range of patients with a variety of needs. On Tuesdays, I often do the general anaesthetic clinic, and I regularly treat patients under sedation. I am IASCD accredited procedural sedation mentor, and tutor in sedation and pain management for the regional FD programme. I am a past president of the Association of Dental Anaesthetists, and previously Honorary Speciality Lecturer, in Dental Sedation and Pain Management at the Eastman Dental Institute, UCL.
This is my first year being an Educational Supervisor, but I have worked with several Foundation Dentists at our clinics over the past few years. I deliver the education sessions on pain management, anxiety management, and orthodontics for the regional foundation dentist and foundation dental therapist schemes.

I worked on the new Guidelines on General Anaesthetic in dentistry (2022) and was a Committee Member for the Public Health England National Guidelines for Delivery of Better Oral Healthcare (2019).
I have been a CLAHRC NIHR Fellow, and a Quality Improvement Fellow with HEEoE / The King’s Fund.
I was lead writer and expert reviewer for the new national NHS eLearning module for Dental Therapists and Hygienists on Section 17 medical prescribing exemptions.

I received the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Dentistry, and national poster prizes for my work in sedation and quality improvement. In 2019 I was honoured with the Ely Heroes Award as Most Amazing Professional, following nomination by patients.

Kuljeet Singh BDS BSc(Hons) PG Cert SCD DSCD RCS Eng
GDC Number: 82032

I qualified as a Dentist from the University of Birmingham in 2003. Prior to this I had completed a BSc(Hons) degree in Pharmacology from King's College London & was originally due to train as a teacher until I worked at a dental surgery one summer. I became a VT (now FD) in the East of England Peterborough scheme which I immensely enjoyed & stayed working in Peterborough as an NHS associate for two years moving onto an NHS/ private associate role in a six surgery practice in St Neots, Cambridgeshire for 14 years.
My clinical interests have always included the treatment of nervous patients so I took on a Senior Dentist role with the Special Care Dental Service at Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCS) in 2009 alongside my NHS associate role. I then became Clinical Lead for IV Sedation for the service in 2014 which I continue to do.
After a change in personal circumstances due to bereavement & the Covid pandemic I exclusively worked for the Special Care Dental Service since 2020 where I provide treatment under inhalation sedation, intraveneous sedation & general anaesthesia on a referral basis. I also lead the Dental Therapist team who work for the trust where we are currently working towards enhanced training in Paediatric Dentistry & Inhalation Sedation. I am also part of the CCS Leadership Team actively participating in clinical governance & quality improvement.
After being qualified for 17 years I decided to gain postgraduate qualifications in Special Care Dentistry (SCD) at UCL Eastman where I gained a distinction & subsequently a Diploma in SCD with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Future plans include working towards an MSc in Dental Education at the University of Cambridge starting next year.
Although this will be my first formal role as an ES everywhere I have worked have had FDs & I have been actively involved in training/ mentoring all of them.
Even though I am a highly experienced clinician I am friendly & approachable & feel I have a lot to learn from the new generation of FDs!

Practice Address: Dental Healthcare Cambridgeshire, Brookfields, Seymour Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. CB1 3DQ
Google Map Link

Description:
Dental Healthcare Cambridge is one of eight dental clinic locations (the others being Ely, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Wisbech, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich) in the dental division of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.
The Cambridge clinic is located on the Brookfields site on Mill Road & is on one level. This is a modern six surgery practice with three waiting rooms & ample free easily available parking. All surgeries are large & bright with windows & air conditioning. There are three larger surgeries which have wheelchair tipper/ bariatric chair facilities as well as a recovery room for IV Sedation patients. All equipment is modern & well maintained. We have invested in electric handpieces, digital radiography (both intraoral & OPG), rotary endodontic machines & surgical handpieces but always look at incorporating newer innovations. All surgeries have computer facilities & we use the Dentally computer system.
We have a range of services within the clinic staffed by a highly experienced, friendly & collaborative team. There is no hierarchy here!
We have a Service Manager & Lead Dental Nurse who oversee the running of the Cambridge clinic.
In terms of clinical services we have:
1. Emergency dental clinic (Dental Access Centre- DAC) which anyone can attend from Monday-Friday which is triaged by a highly skilled administrative team.
2. Minor Oral Surgery Clinic (MOS) with an experienced team of specialists. Treatment is on a referral basis from local GDPs.
3. IV Sedation Service
4. Special Care Dentistry-we accept referrals from local GDPs/ non-dentists for patients (adults & children) with physical

Location:
The practice is based in the centre Cambridge.
Probably most famous for the University of Cambridge, this is a very lively small city.
I chose to live and work here as it is a very curious mix of old and new, with a long history alongside cutting edge technology and research.
There are two train stations (soon to be three). London is about 45min by train. Stansted airport is about 30min by train.
Having a car in Cambridge is not essential. I gave up owning a car several years ago, and now travel by bike or bus / train. Cambridge is the cycling capital of the UK, with around 55% of residents making a journey by bike at least once per week.
There is a wide demographic mix here, and you will get to work with a huge range of staff and patients.
Cambridge has a very busy social, entertainment and cultural scene, with cinemas / theatres / concert halls / festivals. There are may sports clubs, gyms, an outdoor public swimming pool, a real tennis court, a football stadium, and the Fenner's cricket ground. Newmarket, the home of horse racing is about half an hour away.

Other Points of Interest:
The practice here at Brookfields is an interesting mix.
As an Foundation Dentist, or Foundation Dental Therapist, you will encounter a wide range of patients, and a wide range of dental staff.
Under the same roof, we have the Special Care Dental Service, the Dental Access Cente, the Minor Oral Surgery unit, and the referral IV sedation clinic.
This means that we have a much wider range of dentists, specialities, and nurses than in general practice.
Most of our clinicians also work / have worked in general practice, on the NHS and privately.
So no matter what you encounter clinically, you will always have someone with the appropriate experience to guide you through.
Spending a year with us is a really good way to have those first steps towards a career in one of the dental specialities, or to gain the experience which will be essential to working in practice.

Practice Website:
https://www.dentalhealthcareeoe.nhs.uk/

I am currently the Clinical lead at the University of Suffolk Dental CIC. I am a Dentist with 40 years experience treating NHS and Private Patients. On qualification in 1984, I commenced an Oral Surgery post at the Royal London Hospital which provided me with confidence in managing minor Oral surgery procedures. I operated my own Dental practice for 22 years and was an ES for consecutive years from 1997 to 2019 on the Ipswich Scheme.
My special Interests are in Fixed and Removeable Prosthodontics, Endodontics and minor Oral surgery.
I was recently involved with training 5th year Dental students coming up to the Suffolk CIC from QMUL and I thoroughly enjoyed the teaching experience, especially helping the Students with Endodontics and minor Oral Surgery.

Alex Farrow-Hamblen Alex Farrow-Hamblen | Dental Surgery BDS (Hons) Human Physiology BSc (Hons)
GDC Number: 290681

Originally from Teesside, Alex began his undergraduate training at the University of Leeds in 2013, successfully gaining a BSc First Class Hons Degree in Human Physiology (2016) before competing his dental training at the University of Central Lancashire’s School of Medicine & Dentistry. Training for four years at Carlisle Dental Education Centre, Alex provided the full scope of general dentistry to patients in an NHS capacity, graduating in 2020 with a First Class - experienced in the delivery of care in both the NHS & Private setting having supported denial professionals & patients in Chester & the Wirral. Alex has recently taken post with QMUL - and is now a senior dentist with the University of Suffolk Dental CIC; having re-located from the North West of England in 2024.

Alex has published several articles and international journal features on topics such as clinical professionalism, patient-centred care & dentures; having a particular interest in effective patient communication, dental phobia, restoring the terminal dentition & treatment-planning for those patients with additional or complex medical & social needs. Alex is also trained in the use of Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) in a dental setting; currently considering the restoration, maintenance & management of failed of implant-supported prostheses & professional accountability as a dental professional as part of his editorial interests - working towards completion of his PGCert in Dental Education in the Summer of 2025 as his roles expand with QMUL.

Alex is a Clinical teacher in Restorative Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London; supervising dental students & dental hygiene & therapy students on patient clinics & providing additional support during clinical skills laboratory sessions. Alex also has a key role in supporting final year BDS students on their outreach placement at the University of Suffolk Dental CIC where students, approaching graduation & enrolment onto National Dental Foundation training, build their confidence & independent approach to life in practice.

Alex’s previous ‘So you want to be a dentist?’ admissions workshops & lectures at the University of Leeds School of Biological Sciences - guiding biomedical undergraduates considering a career in dentistry - continue to be a highlight of Alex’s early career in education.

Practice Address: University of Suffolk Dental CIC, Floor 2 - James Hehir Building, Ipswich, Suffolk. IP3 0FS
Google Map Link

Description:
The University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) is a unique and award-winning new Dental Social Enterprise. We are an innovative collaboration between the University of Suffolk and the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board. The partnership seeks to provide high quality NHS dental services and experiences to the population of Suffolk and North East Essex and supporting dental workforce training and education.

Our multi-disciplinary team is delivering transformational change to the people of Suffolk by breaking barriers to NHS dental care and championing oral health for all. As a social enterprise dedicated to creating meaningful impact with and for the local community, we are leading the way in reimagining NHS dental care to make it truly accessible, sustainable, and equitable for all, whilst supporting those most in need.

Our 10 surgery Dental Social Enterprise is a state-of-the-art clinical facility situated on the scenic Ipswich Waterfront. Our fully equipped dental surgery units are provided with the latest cutting-edge technology, including access to digital intraoral radiographs, panoramic images, Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT), intraoral scanner, intraoral cameras and an on-site milling machine; suited to a team with interests in accurate patient assessment, diagnosis and restorative dental treatment. Our facilities offer a welcoming and professional environment to make the service user experience as pleasant and relaxed as possible.

Our Dental Social Enterprise is implementing national policy and spearheading primary dental care pathways which focus on unscheduled urgent care, stabilisation and prevention. Fundamental to this delivery is the full utilisation and skill-mix of the whole dental team. Our multi-disciplinary approach, focuses on the entire dental workforce, comprising of GDC registered dentists, dental therapists and dental nurses all of which are integral to delivering high-quality dental care. This enables us to serve more patients efficiently while growing, recruiting, and retaining a strong local workforce.

A prospective foundation dentist or therapist will also benefit from the expertise and knowledge of our Educational Supervisors who collectively bring a wealth of experience and share many years in both NHS, private practice, community dental services and formal teaching environments. Supported by a multi-disciplinary team, a prospective foundation dentist or therapist will also benefit from being able to deliver care to our patient population during the 12 months of their foundation training in an established and well-equipped setting.

Location:
Ipswich is a town situated in Suffolk; 1 hour train from Stratford (London). The town has a regular bus service, road links & train service to and from London.

Other Points of Interest:
Ipswich offers a range of rental / professional accommodation; both in the town centre & vicinity of University of Suffolk Dental CIC.

Practice Website:
https://suffolkdentalcic.co.uk