Committee Members

Andre qualified from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He has since worked in general dental practices across Taunton, Yeovil, and Wells before becoming a practice owner. In 2002, he received the postgraduate qualification of DPDS from the University of Bristol. He is currently the principal at dental practices located in Minehead, Williton, and North Petherton.

Andre has been an Educational Supervisor for over 20 years, mentoring and supporting newly qualified dentists. He served as Chair of the British Dental Association (BDA) Somerset Branch from 2004 to 2006 and has been an elected member of the Local Dental Committee (LDC) since 2000, taking on the role of Chair in 2022.

Outside of dentistry, Andre enjoys an active lifestyle in the Somerset countryside and is a keen tennis player, golfer, and runner.

Lucy qualified from Bristol in 1998. She has worked in general practice in both Bath and Bristol and came to practice in Cheddar in 2002. She has more than 20 years of experience working within the NHS and has been a foundation trainer since 2017.

Lucy took on the role of Secretary of Somerset LDC in 2023, and is working hard to play her part in improving access to NHS dentistry for patients and working conditions for practitioners in Somerset.

Outside of work, Lucy enjoys all that the countryside in Somerset has to offer, and loves running and hiking with her family.

Peter graduated with a BDS from Manchester University in 1984 and then spent the next 3 years in hospital posts, before moving into NHS general practice in 1988. After working in Lancashire, he moved to Somerset in late 1989 to join a multi surgery NHS practice in Taunton.

Soon after arriving, he also took up a part time post at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton as part of the restorative team providing care for patients with head and neck cancer, hypodontia/clefts and trauma. After arriving in Somerset, he obtained his DPDS from the University of Bristol and later on became an educational supervisor to foundation dentists for 8 years. He finally retired from general practice and his hospital post in 2022.

Peter has been a member of Somerset LDC for 15 years, latterly serving as treasurer. His vision for the LDC would be that although it is officially there to pass information between the NHS and local dentists in Somerset, it can be much more than this. By arranging events in the region and always having an open door to attend quarterly meetings, it can also provide a means whereby dentists in the county can get together to discuss issues and, just as importantly, meet up in a social setting and get to know one another.

In these challenging times for NHS dentistry, members of the LDC are always willing to talk to colleagues with empathy and to signpost dentists to help if they are not sure where to turn.

Nick graduated from Bristol Dental School in 2016 with an intercalated BSc in pharmacology. Following this, he moved to Cheddar for his foundation year. In 2017, he began working as a regional employed clinician for mydentist, providing locum cover across various practices in Somerset.

By September 2018, Nick had taken on a permanent role at the East Quay practice in Bridgwater. He provides mainly NHS general dentistry. Nick is also an educational supervisor to foundation dentists and mentors international dental graduates. He has served on the LDC since 2022.

Susan qualified from Bristol University in 2002 and undertook a two-year GPT role in Shepton Mallet and Bath RUH. Following this, she returned to Shepton Mallet as an associate, where she has stayed ever since.

Alongside this, Susan has undertaken other roles, including DwSI in Minor Oral Surgery, ES for Foundation Dentists, and a Foundation Therapist mentor to 13 international dental graduates. She has also been a Clinical Development Advisor for mydentist.

Susan has served on the LDC for a number of years and would love the LDC to help dentists meet like minded colleagues and feel supported locally.

Vinay graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2003 and joined Cheddar Dental Practice to complete his postgraduate foundation year. He stayed on and eventually, with his wife, took over the practice in 2015.

Vinay has been a member of Somerset Local Dental Committee since 2011. He is a clinical advisor for the ICB. He is also a foundation dentist trainer, and has been mentoring and supporting young dentists since 2009.

Jeremy graduated from Birmingham Dental School in 2003. Following this, he moved to Taunton and completed his foundation year in Crewkerne. He continued to work in his foundation practice for a further three years, providing NHS dentistry. In late 2006, Jeremy moved to work part time at his current practice in Bridgwater while also working part time in Taunton and Crewkerne. All these practices provided a mixture of NHS and private work.

In February 2011, Jeremy took over the practice in Bridgwater with his wife. She has worked there solely for his career to date. During his time at the practice, Jeremy has completed many courses to enhance his dental expertise and is currently completing his MSc in Restoration Dentistry back at the University of Birmingham.

Jeremy has served on the LDC since 2022. He feels this to be a fantastic opportunity for all Somerset dentists to have their say on how to get NHS dentistry working for the community and the dentists. Without communication we will achieve nothing, and the LDC will stabilise and encourage that communication and understanding.

Simon has been a General Dental Practitioner in Wincanton since graduating in 1993. After completing his vocational training, he remained as an associate until becoming the practice owner in 1997.

Simon has been an Education Supervisor to foundation dentists in the South West for many years. He is a DWSI in Orthodontics and has worked at the Royal United Hospital in Bath as a clinical assistant for around 25 years.

Simon has represented South Somerset within the LDC since 2012 and attends the Orthodontic Managed Clinical Network.

He appreciates the struggles faced within Somerset and wishes for a change that enables an NHS provision that is tailored to meet the needs of the practising dentists and the population we serve.