Meet the dental team at Illume

BDS MSc DGDP(UK) GDC Reg. no 64311

GDC Specialist in Prosthodontics

My name is Mike Heilbron and I’m the Clinical Director at Illume Dental.

I have been in specialist practice since 1993 and was one of the first Dentists elected onto the General Dental Council list for Prosthodontics upon its formation.

As part of a team with significant experience in the multidisciplinary approach to patient treatment I have been providing specialist referral services to over 100 referring partners in Gloucestershire and beyond for almost 20 years.

My discipline specialises in the repair or replacement of missing or damaged teeth and as a result includes traditional treatment such dentures (which are often overlooked), crowns, bridges, veneers, as well as all aspects of Dental Implant Dentistry and Advanced Dental Solutions including TMD (jaw joint disorders), tooth grinding, sleep disorders and tooth surface loss.

I regularly update my postgraduate education both in the UK and abroad and aim to bring additional services to both patients and referring dentists to Illume over the coming months.

Clare joined the practice as a dental nurse in 2008 becoming qualified and registered with the General Dental Council. In 2010 she merged clinical skills with managerial and administrative skills working alongside the Directors in managing the practice and business.

She is one of the original team members from when the practice became Illume and has been key in implementing the many changes and developments that have occurred over the past decade. As a result of this she has great experience in adapting to and managing change. She is the person who keeps the practice running efficiently, revels in the challenges of such a varied role and is excited to help new owner, Mike, continue Illume’s progressing journey.

When not at work, Clare seeks out relaxing and therapeutic activities with family and friends, loves travel and adventure, and loathes DIY and baking. Like the rest of the team she loves all things gastronomic, providing she doesn’t have to cook!

BDS (Birmingham) GDC Reg. no 59427

Tim has been looking after many of you at Queens Road since 1987. After Tim and Ali sold Illume to Mike, Tim has been working for two days a week, carrying on the natural rapport and long term relationships he has built over many years. He is helping his loyal clients keep a healthy and happy smile and continues to champion the importance of good oral hygiene habits at home. In recent years he has added adult orthodontics, tooth straightening, to his skill set and has enjoyed seeing the enormous difference this can make to the appearance and confidence of our clients.

Now that he has more time away from the world of dentistry, he is still building THE kit car and has been spending an increasing amount of time brewing beer, baking sourdough loaves and roasting his ‘secret’ blend of curry spices.

The two little boys on his treatment room wall are now both 30ish and married and his family is growing with the addition of granddaughter Phoebe who arrived in January 2019. She is a total joy and has made an exciting time even more delightful.

BDS (Newcastle), DRD RCS (Edinburgh), FDS RCPS (Glasgow)
GDC Reg. no 55390

Cliff has considerable experience in the field of implant dentistry. After graduating he worked in various university dental departments and lectured in Periodontology for six years at the University of Dundee. He ran his own private practice in Germany whilst at the same time providing implant services to a number of private practices in the area, something he now provides to practices in the South West of England.

Cliff is also a mentor for the Association of Dental Implantology and the International Team for Implantology. His areas of special interest include bone and soft tissue regeneration, sinus augmentation and treatment of aesthetic implant cases.

BDS, London, BMedSc (Hons), Birmingham
GDC reg no: 265014

Phil joins Illume with a reputation for being professional, organised, well-motivated, passionate about dentistry and with great references. In his own words, he believes that hard work helps you achieve your goals. He won many prizes during his student days at King’s College, London.

When he’s not practising dentistry, he’s a keen sportsman, enjoying golf, football, tennis and squash. He also plays saxophone and piano.

BDS Birmingham
GDC Reg. no 52510

Ewa is delighted to be part of the Illume team, having had her own award-winning practice in Stroud for over 35 years. She loves to make people smile and is passionate about preventing dental disease in all age groups, especially children. Her gentle approach has won her many loyal clients.

When Ewa is not helping our clients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles she professionally coaches and mentors other dentists and is also a Denplan Excel Advisor and a judge for the ‘Dental Awards’.

BDS Cardiff
GDC Reg. no 153110

Ala joins us at Illume in September 2019. She loves being a dentist and thinks it’s the best job in the world. She enjoys meeting people and building great relationships with them.

Ala particularly likes treating nervous clients, is sedation trained which means she can help anxious clients to relax during treatment.

When not at work Ala enjoys mountain biking, surfing, indeed anything to do with the great outdoors and camping with her husband and young son in their customised van.

BDS PGCert MedEd MFDS RCSEd
GDC Reg. no 264924

Farima qualified from Kings College London in 2016 and has since worked in private practices as a general dentist as well as teaching, looking after and clinically tutoring the undergraduate dental students at Bristol Dental Hospital.

In 2017 Farima spent a year at the Queen Alexandra Hospital carrying out complex restorations as part of the head and neck unit. This included treatments on patients with severe generalised tooth wear, full mouth rehabilitation, restoration of implants, fixed and removable prosthetics, cleft lip and palate and facial-cranio deformities, head and neck cancer assessments, rehabilitation and chronic trauma.

In 2018 Farima gained membership to the Royal College of Surgeons - Faculty of Dental Surgeons carrying out postgraduate examinations in MJDF and MFDS.

Farima joins Illume as part of the referral services aspect of the practice and will be seeing patients referred to her by other practitioners for clinical assessment for facial aesthetic services.

If you’d like to book a facial aesthetic consultation, please speak to our Client Coordinators.

BDS (Bristol 2008) DipImplantology (Bristol 2018)
GDC Reg. no 154982

Toheed graduated from the University of Bristol in 2008 and has worked in private practice since.

With a special interest in dental implants and oral surgery, Toheed joins Illume as part of our referral services aspect of the practice.

As a member of the International Team of Implantology he has been placing implants since 2014 and his interests range from simple implant cases to full arch and advanced grafting cases.

Over the past six years, Toheed has held the role of Foundation Dentist Trainer in the southwest deanery with great enthusiasm. He is responsible for mentoring and guiding newly qualified dentists during their transition from university to general practice. It is a role he enjoys immensely and one that allows him to provide support and reassurance to the next generation of dentists.

Outside his clinical commitments, Toheed is a keen sportsman. He loves to play cricket, golf, football, tennis as well as being a keen cyclist and motorcyclist. He enjoys spending time with his young family who keep him very busy.

EDH (Enrolled Dental Hygienist); CEB Cert in Dental Hygiene (Cardiff)
GDC Reg. no 3388

Agnes is a member of the BDHA and qualified in 1987. She relishes the sheer variety of clients we see, all of whom benefit from her gentle approach. Despite her wealth of clinical experience, Agnes approaches every client as an individual with feelings, not just a mouth to treat. She loves cooking and gardening.

EDH (Enrolled Dental Hygienist); Dip Dent Hygiene (Cardiff),
National Certificate NEBDN GDC Reg. no 124533

Leanne joined us several years ago as a trainee dental nurse and after becoming a qualified dental nurse left to study for a diploma in Hygiene in Cardiff. We are delighted that she has now rejoined our team of hygienists. Leanne's gentle approach has won over many clients. In her spare time she likes zumba, walking the dog and travelling.

National Certificate NEBDN (Gloucestershire)
GDC Reg. no 124530

Carley has been nursing since 2000 and has been at Illume since 2006 and is a qualified patient care co-ordinator, which means she can give Oral Hygiene instruction as well as discuss in-depth treatment plans with clients. She loves the interaction with such a wide variety of clients and relishes the fun she has at work. Carley also enjoys Pilates, keeping fit and shopping.

National Certificate NEBDN (Gloucestershire)
GDC Reg. no 127840

Jean has been nursing since 2002. She has a caring professional manner and loves the rapport she has with Illume’s clients. She assists both our hygienists and dentists. Jean loves all kinds of music and dancing and going shopping with her friends.

Diploma in Dental Nursing (Gloucestershire)
GDC Reg. no 248121

Alice joined Illume in 2012 towards the end of completing her nursing diploma and has subsequently gone on to gain further qualifications in dental radiography.

You’ll sometimes see Alice on our front desk or hear her answering calls but most of her time is spent in surgery with our clinicians and looking after the clinical running of the practice.

Away from Illume Alice enjoys spending time with her partner, looking after a very demanding cat, feeding her outlandish shopping habit and playing Roller Derby.

Georgia joined us in July 2019 as a trainee dental nurse. She had previously worked as a manager in a prestigious hair salon winning awards for being both team player and receptionist of the year.

She has since completed her NEDBN qualification and is a valuable member of the Illume nursing team.

When not at Illume Georgia enjoys going to the cinema, the gym and meeting up with friends. Having recently bought her first home she now revels in DIY and interior design projects.

Rhona joined Illume in 2020 as a trainee dental nurse and has since completed her NEDBN qualification.

She solidifies our fantastic nursing team with her skillset, friendly demeanour and ability to put nervous clients at ease.

Her philanthropic nature has seen her organise charitable events to raise money for mosquito nets where she spent three weeks in Uganda delivering them to isolated communities.

When not at Illume Rhona enjoys keeping active with the demands of her horses. She has previously ran a half marathon, has competed at national level in show jumping, played netball for the county and played on her university badminton team for two years.

Diploma in Dental Nursing (Worcestershire)
GDC Reg. no 243263

Lucy first joined Illume in 2014 as part of our nursing team.

Having taken a few years away to start her family she returns to us as part of our front desk team and it feels as though she never left!

Lucy is one of the first smiling faces to greet you upon arrival. Her clinical knowledge, experience and her ability to make clients feel welcome and at ease makes her a fantastic Client Coordinator.

When not at Illume Lucy is kept on her toes by her young daughter and enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, as well as all things gastronomical - which makes her fit right in with the Illume team!

Catherine has been part of the Illume front desk team since 2011 and together with Lucy is the first port of call for our clients when they contact the practice.

Cath’s longevity at Illume means she knows many of our clients well and as a familiar face they often ask her whereabouts when they visit on her day off!

When not at Illume Cath enjoys keeping fit with marathon dog walks and weekly park run. An avid globe trotter to places off the beaten track she enjoys seeking out weird and wonderful places to visit away from tourist hotspots. And of course, she wouldn’t be accepted as part of the team without a love of food and drink. She makes a mean key lime pie to spoil us. . . we remain unconvinced she doesn’t have help with this!

The Illume dental team works in accordance with the GDC's Standards for Dental Professionals.

general dental council
GENERAL DENTAL COUNCIL 37 Wimpole Street London  W1G 8DQ
Phone: 0845 222 4141 Email: information@gdc-uk.org Web: www.gdc-uk.org