Our Team
Andrei Mihaila
Principal Dentist / Practice Manager
GDC Number: 191772
Louise Leek BChD
Dental Surgeon
GDC Number: 115365
I started working in 2007 at VRDP, time really does fly when you are enjoying yourself. After qualifying from Leeds University in 2007, I spent my first vocational training year at VRDP, I loved it so much I decided to stay. I enjoy being a dentist because of the variety of work I am able to undertake and enjoy the opportunity of meeting many different people. I am especially interested in making the experience of coming to the dentist a pleasant one and I strive to help people feel more at ease in the dental environment. I believe in delivering a high standard of care in a relaxed and friendly environment. I am married to Andrew and have two children, Henry and Matilda. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dogs, baking and travelling.
Louise Lightfoot BDS Newcastle
Associate Dental Surgeon
GDC Number: 150141
I graduated from Newcastle Dental School in 2008 and returned to live in my home town of Penrith.
I completed my vocational training in Wigton and remained there for a further seven years. I have since worked in a dental practice in Carlisle followed by a practice in Appleby where I continue to work.
I enjoy all aspects of dentistry in particular treating children. Having two boys myself, who attend a local school, I feel I can relate well to children of all ages.
I pride myself on being a caring family dentist and strive to ensure all of my patients feel comfortable and find me approachable.
I am delighted to be a part of the team here at Victoria Road Dental Practice.
James McParlane BDS University of Central Lancashire 2016
Associate Dental Surgeon
GDC Number: 264189
I am originally from the East Midlands, I completed my final 3 years of training at Carlisle Dental Centre, I liked the area and the people so much I decided to stay in the area. During my final year I won the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh UK Dental Skills competition, crowning me the UK’s best clinically skilled undergraduate dentist. I currently work
3 days a week at Victoria Road Dental Practice and 2 days at another practice.
Before graduating from the University of Central Lancashire dental school, I completed a degree in Biomedical Materials Science at the University of Manchester. At the beginning of 2019 I passed both the written and practical examinations to become a Member of The Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
I have a keen interest in minimally invasive aesthetic and restorative dentistry, in particular aesthetic fillings, cosmetic bonding and tooth straightening with the clear aligner system, Invisalign. I have furthered my skills in aesthetic dentistry by completing a year long aesthetic restorative dentistry course run by the cosmetic bonding guru Monik Vasant.
Outside of dentistry, I am a keen rugby fan and play at the weekend; in the future I would like to start my refereeing qualification.
Alison Weymouth
CEB Cert Dental Hygiene
GDC Number: 3293
I work as the Dental Hygienist at Victoria Road Dental Practice. Qualifying in 1987 from Cardiff Dental School, achieving the award for best Clinical Hygienist that year. Since then I have worked in various dental practices in Cumbria and have been with the VRDP team since 2012. I provide treatment to prevent disease and improve the oral health of each patient. I provide tailored advice on care and maintenance of the mouth at home to ensure the best possible outcome for each and every patient. Living in Cumbria I enjoy the outdoor life and the weather.
Ruth McMann
Dental Hygienist
GDC Number: 5278
I am originally from the North East where I studied and qualified in
1997 as a Dental Hygienist at Newcastle Dental Hospital. I began my career working with the community dental team in providing dental hygiene treatment and support for patients of the orthodontic department a long side working in general practice. However in 1998 I took the opportunity to relocate to Cumbria and have worked in several practices in the area including Keswick which I have now been with their practice for 21 years.
I joined VRDP as their hygienist in January 2019 and I am very happy to be a part of a really friendly, dedicated team.
As a hygienist I provide treatment, support and advice specific to each patient to hopefully achieve the best possible outcome with regards to their oral health.
In my personal time I enjoy family life in the home and out taking as much time as possible to appreciate the beautiful Cumbrian country side, walking and also participating in a little running when time permits. I like to bake, knit and sew small craft items. I also have an amazing Dalmatian called Merlin.
Charlotte Moffat
BSc Oral Health Science
GDC Number: 296627
Sandra Brennand
Assistant Manager/Dental Nurse
GDC Number: 106805
I first came to Victoria Road Dental Practice on work experience from school, instantly I found dentistry is very interesting and I enjoyed my week of shadowing all the different team members. A week or so later I had a phone call from the practice offering me a position of Trainee Dental Nurse to start in the summer of 2003.
I gained my qualification level 3 in oral health care dental nursing in May 2005. A few years later I decided to study for my certificate in oral health education qualifying in September 2008, this allows me to see patients and give oral health instruction and diet advice as prescribed by the Dentist.
In November 2012 I went on to gain another qualification in practice based prevention and fluoride varnish application, this allows me to give diet advice, and oral education advice to patients as well as also applying fluoride varnish to teeth. Victoria Road Dental Practice’s main aim is prevention and I enjoy passing on advice and knowledge in the hope that a small change in a patient’s lifestyle could prevent further treatment.
I am the practice infection control lead and coordinate the decontamination room to ensure strict regimes with regard to cross infection are adhered to at all time by all staff members.
In January 2015 I was appointed as the assistant manager for the practice and then studied and gained a Diploma in Management in October 2018. I ensure smooth running of the practice day to day and that current guidelines, regulations and policies are all up to date. These change at a rapid speed and it is very challenging keeping ahead of the current advice but I love the challenge of helping to maintain the practices high standards.
Jill Simpson
Dental Nurse
GDC Number: 286893
Lisa Blackburn
Dental Nurse
GDC Number: 276558