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Meet the team

Clinical Director

Mike Heilbron

BDS MSc DGDP (UK) GDC Reg. no 64311

Mike has been in specialist practice since 1993 and was one of the first dentists elected to the General Dental Council list for prosthodontics upon its formation. He has been providing specialist referral services to more than 100 referring partners in Gloucestershire and beyond for almost 20 years.

His discipline specialises in the repair or replacement of missing or damaged teeth and as a result includes traditional treatment such as dentures (which are often overlooked), crowns, bridges, and 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.

He regularly updates his postgraduate education both in the UK and abroad and aims to bring additional services to both patients and referring dentists to Illume over the coming months.
mike@illumedentistry.co.uk
GDC Reg. no 64311

Practice Manager

Alice Allen

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.

During her time at Illume Alice has overlapped clinical and admin roles as Practice Coordinator to ensure the smooth operational running of the business and paving her way to Practice Manager in 2022.

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.

GDC Reg. no 248121
alice@illumedentistry.co.uk

Client Relation Manager

Lucy Edwards

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 returned to Illume in 2020 as part of our front desk team. 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 Relation Manager. Lucy is the port of call for referral practitioners and patients and liaises with Illume specialists to ensure a seamless patient journey.

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 whole team!

GDC Reg. no 243263
lucy@illumedentistry.co.uk

Client Coordinator

Catherine Rennie

Catherine has been part of the Illume front desk team since 2011.  Catherine’s longevity at Illume means she knows many of our patients well and has been an integral part of the patient journey for over a decade.  Even relocating across the border hasn’t stopped Cath from being part of the team; most days she will be working remotely from her home in Pembrokeshire yet she still remains the first point of call for patients phoning the practice during the day and returns to Cheltenham soil most months to see us face to face.

When not at work, Cath enjoys keeping fit with marathon dog walks and can currently be found in the midst of building projects at home. An avid globe trotter, 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!

catherine@illumedentistry.co.uk

Client Coordinator

Jade Downer

Jade joined the Illume team in May 2023 shortly after getting married and moving back to the UK from Portugal.

Jade is an integral part of our front desk team and will likely be the first smiling face you will see when entering the practice.

Outside of work Jade keeps herself busy by doing up her house, walking her two dogs and spending time with her friends and family.  She loves all things outdoors and describes herself as extremely competitive.

Associate Dentist

Phil Walker

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

Phil graduated from Kings College London Dental Institute in 2016 before joining the Illume team in 2019.
He has a reputation for being professional, organised, well-motivated and passionate about dentistry. His relaxed and easy manner is reassuring for those who are anxious about visiting the dentist and patients frequently refer their friends and family to see him.

Phil has undertaken further training in multiple aspects of dentistry, including root canal treatments, the treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea, fixed brace and clear aligner orthodontics and the restoration of implants.

When not practising dentistry, Phil is a committee member on the Gloucestershire Independent Dentists and Local Dental Committee as well as providing support for young dentists of Gloucestershire.
Away from dentistry, Phil is a keen sportsman, enjoying golf, football, tennis and squash.
Phil is married to fellow Illume dentist Farima

GDC reg no: 265014
phil@illumedentistry.co.uk

Associate Dentist

Liam Winkworth

BDS, Cardiff, GDC reg no: 259105

Liam graduated from Cardiff University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2015. He returned to his hometown of Cheltenham and became a dental associate in Tetbury before joining Illume in 2022.
Liam joins the practice with a wealth of experience in general dentistry and has a particular interest in aligner technology for tooth straightening and minimally invasive cosmetic dental treatments.

Liam looks forward to building long-term relationships with his patients and this is already reflected in the loyal patients who have tracked him down and Illume patients expressing their delight since his first day.

In his free time, Liam enjoys rugby, golf and has recently taken up playing padel. Liam recently got married this year to Georgia and they have a black lab named Zulu.

GDC reg no: 259105
liam@illumedentistry.co.uk

Associate Dentist

Farima Mehrabi

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.

GDC Reg. no 264924
reception@illumedentistry.co.uk

Implant Dentist

Guy Bailey

BSc MBBS MRCS(Ed) BDS Dip.Implantology GDC reg no 229123

GDC number: 229123

Dentist with Special Interest in Oral Surgery

James Morgan

BDS (LONDON) PGDIP (RESTORATIVE & AESTHETIC DENTISTRY) PGDIP (ORAL SURGERY) FELLOWSHIP BRITISH ACADEMY OF AESTHETIC RESTORATIVE AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY (BAARID) GDC reg no. 265115

James graduated from Kings College, London in 2016 and has worked in private practice ever since. As well as undertaking the full spectrum of routine general dentistry, he’s been running Emergency Dental Service Clinics for the past four years.

Having completed a two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry he was awarded a Fellowship in the British Academy of Aesthetic Restorative and Implant Dentistry. James is currently studying for an MSc in Oral Surgery and plans to undertake further study in implant surgery to become a member of the Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons England.
Away from the world of dentistry, James is a keen runner, holds a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, enjoys rugby (having captained for both Guy’s Hospital Rugby Club and Kings College) and is kept on his toes by his cockapoo Rupert!

GDC NO. 265115

Specialist Orthodontist

Rippon Sanghera

BDS (Lond), MFDS RCS (Eng), MOrth RCS (Edin), MSc (Res) GDC Reg no. 82605

Rippon qualified in Dentistry from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ in London in 2003 before spending 10 years training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She spent 5 years as a Specialty Doctor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in various hospitals including Royal London Hospital, where she was also a Honorary Clinical lecturer and involved in undergraduate dental training. In this time, she also obtained her Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

With an interest in jaw surgery, Rippon decided to specialise in Orthodontics and undertook higher Specialist training at Birmingham Dental Hospital. She was awarded a Membership in Orthodontics at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and is recognised as a Specialist in Orthodontics with the General Dental Council.

Rippon is an examiner for the General Dental Council/Royal College of Surgeons England for 11 years, examining overseas dentists.

In her spare time, Rippon is kept busy with her young dog and enjoys exploring the Cotswolds with him and is always happy for any good dog walking recommendations.

Dental Hygienist

Agnes Gradon

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.

GDC Reg. no 3388
hygiene@illumedentistry.co.uk

Dental Hygienist

Leanne Hobbs

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.

GDC Reg. no 124533
hygiene@illumedentistry.co.uk

Dental Hygienist and Therapist

Catherine Mancey

Dental Hygienist and Therapist BSc (Hons), Plymouth, GDC Reg no. 258125

Catherine began her dental career in 2013 where she trained as a dental nurse and went on to graduate as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist BSc (Hons) from the Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth in 2020. Since then, she has been working in both NHS and private practices to utilise and hone her skills.
Catherine is an avid believer that oral health is integral to overall well-being and is committed to empowering patients with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain healthy mouths. Her approach to her role is holistic, focusing not only on treating dental issues but also on educating patients about prevention. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of her patients, whether it's through preventive care, restorative treatment, or simply providing a comforting presence.
In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine on walks with her husband and visiting friends and family. On the rainy days, she likes to snuggle up on the sofa and enjoy a film with their cats Baloo and Rudy.

GDC Reg no. 258125
hygiene@illumedentistry.co.uk

Clinical Coordinator

Kelly Fisher

NVQ L3 Oral Health Care: Dental Nursing & Indp Asses City & Guilds 2007 GDC Reg. no 146025

Kelly joined the Illume team in May 2023 and has quickly become an integral and valued member of team.

You will often find Kelly nursing alongside our Clinical Director Mike and works hard to make sure that our practice remains safe and compliant.  Kelly has completed further courses in Oral Health Care and Dental Decontamination Leadership Programme

When not working, Kelly enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling and eating (but not cooking!)

GDC Reg. no 146025

Kelly@illumedentistry.co.uk

Clinical Coordinator

Beth Mclean-Atkins

Diploma in Dental Nursing Level 3 QCF City & Guilds 2017 GDC Reg. no 274557

Beth first came to Illume as a cover nurse but loved us so much become a permanent member of the team in October 2023.

Beth spends most of her time here working with our specialist dentists and training up our newer nurses.

When not roaming the Illume corridors Beth spends time with her family and young children, enjoy long dog walks.

GDC Reg. no 274557

Beth@illumedentistry.co.uk

Registered Dental Nurse

Ashley Clynes

NEBDN (Gloucestershire)

Ashley joined our team in January 2022 as a Trainee Dental Nurse and Qualified in May 2024.

Ashley's favourite thing about being a dental nurse is being able to build a relationship with patients and you will often find her assisting with one of our lovely clinicians

When not at work Ashley enjoys all things beauty and fashion and decorating her new home with all the latest seasonal trends.  You will often find her in one of the local coffee shops catching up with friends or spending time with her boyfriend and family.

Ashley brings a unique blend of professionalism and flair to our team. We're lucky to have her as part of our practice, and we know you'll love meeting her!

GDC Reg. no 315869

ashley@illumedentistry.co.uk

Qualified Dental Nurse

Maria Burt

Trainee Dental Nurse

Aysha Snow

Aysha joined the team in August 2023 and is currently working her way towards a qualification in Dental Nursing.

With her caring nature, and strong work ethic she is already an integral part of the Illume Team.

Outside of dentistry Aysha enjoys staying fit at the gym and going on walks.  She enjoys spending time with friends and family and her much loved cat!

Trainee Dental Nurse

Kacey Flinter

Kacey joined Illume in July 2024 as a Trainee Dental Nurse.

She has already integrated herself nicely into the team and is soaking up all the new skills.  You will either see Kacey assisting the clinicians in surgery, but can also be found on Front Desk on occasion.

Outside of work Kacey enjoys being active, going to the gym and playing on a local netball team.  Kacey also enjoys baking cakes for all occasions!

Trainee Dental Nurse

Joanna Freeman

Joanna joined Illume in August 2024 as a Trainee Dental Nurse.

Joanna's calm nature and attention to detail make her the perfect candidate for a dental nurse.  You will either find Joanna assisting the clinicians in surgery, or welcoming patients on our front desk.

 

Director of First Impressions

Cookie

Cookie is no ordinary terrier - with her signature scruffy coat, sparkling eyes, and playful spirit, Cookie has won the hearts of everyone she meets.

Cookie loves cuddling up with her favorite humans, basking in the attention of fans who can't resist her sweet demeanour.  She's a social butterfly and always ready for a belly rub or a good play session.

One thing's for sure, Cookie is sure to leave a pawprint on your heart!

General Dental Council standards
The Illume dental team works in accordance with the General Dental Council's (GDC) standards for dental professionals. For more information on the GDC, go to: https://www.gdc-uk.org/

01242312662

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