Equivalent to half an Iron Man, our intrepid cosmetic dentist Toby – hopes to smash all expectations (well his mum’s) in what can be described as one of the South Wests’ toughest challenges.

The Trimax Events triathlon is based at Cromhall Quarry in South Gloucestershire, where the swimming (1.9KM), Cycling (90KM) and running (21km) will take place.

Taking place on Sunday 19th June (Father’s Day) the Wild Boar hopes to attract 200 – 300 competitors from all over the Southwest and beyond so competition will be tough.

Luckily this is not Toby’s first event, he’s competed in four sprint triathlons and two Olympic triathlons in the past 7 years.

Toby, who is getting married in September, fears the running stage the most as it is the last of the three legs, by which time he could be easily ‘cooked’. He states he has found it quite hard to find time to train alongside competing in the teams at East Glos Tennis club. Though Disco his Golden retriever has helped spur him along with some of the smaller runs.

On behalf of all the team here at Arnica and Toby’s patients we’d like to wish him the best of luck and if he gets placed we’d be delighted to show off his trophy and medals at the practice.

Watch this space…

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Jade joined Arnica on 24th January. She was born and raised in Cheltenham and went to School in Pittville. She joined her first dental practice at just 17th years old, where she trained as a Dental Nurse, qualifying in 2007.

Her career has included seven years working for a specialist Orthodontics practice, time spend as an agency nurse supporting various different practices, gaining plenty of experience supporting the Reception function wherever she has worked. She has also spent an amazing six months travelling in Southeast Asia.

Working in and around Cheltenham, Jade was aware of Arnica’s good reputation as all her previous practices would refer patients to us and she was excited to take the opportunity to work with us.

Jade said, “Everyone is so warm, welcoming and lovely. It’s such as modern forward-thinking practice. I’m really keen to be able to help anxious patients. I wanted to be part of a caring profession since I was at school. I want to make sure patients are looked after in as friendly and cheerful way possible so that they can feel at ease about visiting the dentists.”

Jade lives with her partner, her two boys and Dexter their miniature Dachshund. In her spare time, she’s always busy with the boys’ swimming and training and she loves trying new restaurants and family holidays.

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Stassi grew up and completed much of her education and training in Bulgaria. Having attended a Bulgarian, a Russian and then an English school, she went on to fulfil her sole career aspiration since the age of 13. She gained the 6 year long Master of Dental Medicine qualification and joined private practice in her home country.

12 years ago, she moved to the UK and began to specialise in Facial Aesthetics. She gained a Masters in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry from the University of Manchester followed by 6 years of practice punctuated several further courses on Facial Aesthetics.

This was followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Chester, and she is also working towards her Postgraduate Diploma in Endodontics. She has spent the last 7 years working with Bupa in Worcester including running a Facial Aesthetics clinic.

Stassi is just as passionate as ever about being able to make a difference to people’s lives in a ‘hands-on’ medical profession.

“I want my patients to be happy and to always have a positive experience. I want them to enjoy their visit to the dentist. Being a dental surgeon is like being both an artist and an engineer. The team and the atmosphere at Arnica make such a difference, there are so many specialisms; it’s like a practice on a different level.”

Stassi lives with her husband and son in a small village in Worcestershire. She loves travel, walks and children’s birthday parties.

Find out more about Facial Aesthetics at Arnica Dental Care

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Say hello to our latest recruit – Trainee Dental Nurse Cheyone Roberts

Cheyone grew up in Gloucester and took her GCSE’s at Barnwood Park. She then went on to Gloucestershire College, studying Make Up Artistry. Following a year working in that field she went back to college to study Beauty and Therapy but in the end decided that neither field was really for her.

During a period working in the family fruit and veg business she was able to really think about what it was she wanted to do. Remembering how fascinated she had been while studying anatomy and the physiology of the face as a module at college, she applied to several dental practices for a trainee dental nurse position.

Rather than go back to college again, she knew that learning on the job would the right approach for her and was very pleased to accept the position at Arnica.

“It’s the best choice I’ve ever made!” says Cheyone. “The atmosphere is so friendly, and everyone is so helpful and understanding. Ellie and the team are all so lovey and kind. The treatments are amazing; what they are doing for patients here really blows my mind.”

Cheyone is looking forward to qualifying as a Dental Nurse and then moving on to training in sedation. She has her sights firmly set on being a Hygiene Therapist. “I find it so rewarding to be able to make patients happy.” she says. “I don’t like that people are insecure because of their oral health. Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves and I really want to help them feel amazing.”

In her leisure time, Cheyone loves music and writing songs. As a child she attended a drama academy for 6 years and singing and writing has been a passion ever since. She has been a big believer in supporting local businesses since her time spent working with her parents at their fruit and veg business. She and her partner love going out for food, and what they enjoy most is finding and trying out new local restaurants.

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Say hello to our new Hygienist Jo Godwin

Jo joined Arnica in November 2021. Her childhood was spent in Poznan in Poland where she went to school and then qualified as a dental clinician in 2003.

Since moving to Britain she has worked in dental practices in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham and Monmouth, gaining experience in both NHS and private settings.

Jo is a member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) and has trained to provide whitening treatments.

Her focus is providing excellent dental care and the most important thing for her is prevention. She finds treating anxious patients is the most fulfilling part of her job and she enjoys helping them relax and overcome their fears.

She says, “Everyone at Arnica is so lovely and helpful, you have made me feel very welcome.”

In her spare time Jo loves spending time with her two children, her husband and her two dogs. One of her most proud moments was completing the London Marathon in 2021.

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We won the same award just before lockdown back in December 2019. To win once was very special for us, as helping nervous patients access the dental treatment they need is our most worthwhile aim. We never stop finding ways to help even the most phobic patients get dental care to maintain excellent oral health and wellbeing.

To win a second time is such a credit to the team and their dedication to maintaining Arnica’s position as a Centre of Excellence for treating nervous and dental phobic patients.

Our approach is based on understanding, both for us and for you.

Being able to minimise anxiety for you as a patient at Arnica takes real understanding. Right from the first “Hello”, our relationship with you is about making sure that we both have the best understanding of the right way to work together.

We take the time to learn all about your needs and fears, your anxieties and previous experiences. We’ll give you a thorough assessment and examination, including an anxiety questionnaire, to make sure we fully understand not only your clinical needs but crucially how you want to be treated. Our whole team undergo special training for treating nervous patients and for years we’ve been investing in technology that makes dentistry easier and more comfortable for you.

Gentle dentistry

We call what we do, “gentle dentistry”. We’ve always believed it’s as important as technical ability and we base our whole process on it. You’ll notice we engage you with friendly, relaxed conversation throughout your visit, and provide time and a calm soothing space to relax and acclimatise before your treatment. We plan introductory and trial sessions to help you familiarise; for example, did you know, when children are referred for treatment under sedation, we give them the opportunity to experience the relaxing sensations of “happy gas” during their assessment? It helps them and their parents feel more confident and helps us understand the most comfortable approach for their treatment.

These are just a few examples of our “real-world understanding” approach. Of course, we’ll always help you understand both the procedural and process aspects of dental treatment at Arnica, but almost more importantly, how it will feel and what the whole experience is like.

We want to build a rapport and a relationship with you, and to help you feel real trust in our dentists, nurses and practice staff. We always explain both the benefits and the risks and any alternatives that you should consider and the advice and information we provide is usually tailored to your individual treatment plan.

Cheltenham’s Sedation Centre

Our Principal dentist Dr Ellie Ledger set up Arnica in 1999 as Cheltenham’s Sedation Centre, and today has 22 years’ experience treating dental phobic patients, referred to us for more invasive treatment with sedation and gentle dentistry techniques. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments under sedation and we can provide several different methods to make sure you receive the most simple and most appropriate for you (inhalation, intravenous or oral).

Can we help you minimise anxiety?

If you or someone you know is nervous or dental phobic, we want to help make sure you don’t miss out on important treatment. We’re always happy to have a friendly chat. Maybe you’d like to visit our practice and meet the team?

Give us a call on 01242 655554 or request a call back using the button at the top of this page.

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To go on this trip, Hannah needed to be qualified for two years, and she just couldn’t wait. As soon as Hannah was eligible, she signed up to for the programme organised by Dentaid, to join a volunteer team providing dental treatment to people living in the slums of Morocco. The trip was originally scheduled for May 2021 and although COVID has frustrated plans, Hannah is excited to report that the visit will now go ahead in May 2022.

Hannah says, “Dentaid isn’t a very well-known charity compared to some, but they do great work in the UK to help homeless and disadvantaged people get dental care. They also help poor communities abroad. In Morocco, where I will be going, over 70% of people don’t even own a toothbrush; it’s considered a luxury item. There aren’t really any dental practices; we will be helping dentists provide dental treatment to people who really need it in pop-up sites like tents and in schools… anywhere they can. Dentaid volunteers helped over 12,000 people oversees last year and they focus a lot on children. I’m really looking forward to being part of that and learning more about how the people I meet live.

This is a fundraising trip and I need to raise at least £1,550 to make this a reality, but that’s just the target; If I can raise more, then of course that will be amazing.

I’m very grateful for Bupa’s support, they are a sponsor of Dentaid and that’s how I found out about the work they do and the opportunities where I could get involved. Bupa have also made a generous donation towards my fundraising target.

I’m expecting it will probably be quite high emotion, but I’ve always wanted to be able to help people in need and Dentaid are providing an opportunity to do that using the skills and experience I’m building in my chosen career.”

Dentaid’s work is entirely supported by fundraising and donations. In the UK they provide much needed support up and down the country and the need is very real. 40% of British children don’t get regular dental check-ups or receive regular oral health education. 70% of homeless people in this country have dental problems, and 15% have at some point tried to extract their own teeth. You can learn more about the challenges that people face on the Dentaid website and of course the wonderful stories of how this important charity is succeeding in helping.

It’s all made possible by the amazing fundraising work that people like our Hannah throw themselves into. We’re tremendously proud of Hannah and we hope you’ll join us in helping support her kind hearted and generous efforts. If you’d like to make a donation to help Hannah hit and beat her target, then please visit her Just Giving page HERE

Look out for more updates on Hannah’s fundraising progress and we’re looking forward to reporting on her trip in May.

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The great news for new and existing patients is that we now offer the full range of Orthodontic treatments as well as Invisalign.

Goldie has a real passion for helping people achieve a positive body image through Orthodontics and treats every patient in a caring, conscientious and compassionate manner.

Goldie has experience in treating a broad range of dento-facial problems in children and adults, including micro and macro smile aesthetics, dental health concerns, Orthodontics and digital Orthodontics.

He has also managed patients with complex jaw and teeth problems that require Orthodontics in conjunction with other dental specialities, as part of a multidisciplinary team approach.

Orthodontic treatment includes Interceptive Orthodontics (young children), Accelerated Orthodontics (pre-treating jaw bone) Lingual, Traditional and Ceramic braces. Goldie is also a Gold Invisalign provider.

His ethos is about working together with patients to produce a beautiful, healthy smile and his goal has always been a satisfied patient, with a positive overall experience.

Goldie’s background

Goldie Songra grew up in London and qualified in Dentistry from the University of Bristol in 2004. His Orthodontic training was undertaken at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and obtained his Membership in Orthodontics with the Royal College of Surgeons of England and a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Bristol in 2011. He obtained his Fellowship in Orthodontics in 2013.

Goldie is currently a Fellow of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics at the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of England and a full time Orthodontic Consultant at the Royal Worcestershire Hospital, where he takes an active role in postgraduate training of specialist registrars and senior trainees to Consultant level.

He is also an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Chair of the Orthodontic Managed Clinical Network for Herefordshire & Worcestershire where he leads collaborative working between clinicians and commissioners to improve and advance Orthodontics in the region.

He has a particular interest in the management of dento-facial deformities and expertise in a number of contemporary Orthodontic treatment techniques, using various appliances, such as tooth-coloured white cosmetic fixed braces and clear aligners.

Goldie is friendly, approachable and always enthusiastic about providing an enjoyable dental experience…

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Qualifying in 2021, Hannah is new to dental nursing, although she wanted to work in the healthcare sector after university, where she studied Social Policy – Health and Social Care.

”I have always wanted to work in a healthcare setting where I am able to help patients, while working as part of a team.”

Hannah joined Arnica to gain experience in looking after anxious patients using gentle dentistry and sedation, as well as assist in more complex procedures such as dental implants.

”What I love about working at Arnica is that despite everyone working really hard, there is a friendly calming atmosphere within the practice, and you really feel supported.”

To help patients relax, Hannah keeps the patient talking about a wide range of topics not related to dentistry. She makes sure they feel in control and that if they need anything, whether it’s a cup of water or a hand to hold, it’s available.

“My top tip for healthy teeth and gums is to brush your teeth twice a day, especially before you go to sleep.”

In her spare time Hannah enjoys baking, walks and visiting National Trust properties. She also loves going home to Scarborough to visit family, friends and the seaside.

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