The Dental Team
Clinical Director
Dr. Mitesh Badiani BDS DPDS
Dr Badiani took over Croydon House in 1995. His special interests include dental implants, IV sedation and cosmetic dentistry. Dr Badiani has recently completed a course in New Orleans, USA and is able to offer "smile makeovers" as seen on television. He has learn't techniques from Americas finest "smile makeover" dentists.
As well as treating patients he is also honorary lecturer in Dental Implants for the University of Warwick and GIFT (General Implant Forum & Training). Dr badiani lectures and mentors in local anaesthesia and "WAND" (computerised local anaesthetic delivery system), he also mentors for two dental implant systems - Osteo-Ti and Ankylos.
Dr Badiani is available for appointments on Tuesdays and Fridays and is member of British Dental Association, Association of Dental Implantology, British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dentists
Dr. Linda Blakely BDS DPDS
Dr Blakely joined the practice in 1999. Her real passion is cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics (dentures), she attends courses regularly with an aim to do better and better in this field. Dr Blakely's attention to detail and search for perfection is well known.
Dr Blakely works Mondays. Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Dr. Carol Robinson BDS DPDS L.F.Hom(Dent)
Dr Robinson came to the practice in 2001. She trained at Bristol University, where she returned to complete a course in dental homeopathy. Dr Robinson uses her knowledge of homeopathy in the surgery daily. Homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system, is extremely effective and can be taken alongside other medication without producing unwanted side effects.
Dr Robinson is the secretary of the Devon IPG (Independent Practitioner Group) and is in surgery Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Dr. Anna-Marie Smith BChD
Dr Smith trained at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She moved to England several years ago and was a delegate on our implant course where she was so impressed with the way our practice ran that she joined the team.
Dr Smith is renowned for her friendly warm smile. She also offers Botulinum treatment for softening facial lines.
Dr Smith is in surgery Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. She is due to go on maternity leave in July, her patients will be cared for by the rest of our team.
Dr. Tom Olivelle BDS F.I.C.O.I
Dr Olivelle qualified at Guys Hospital, London and worked part-time as a Clinical Assistant in the Oral Maxillofacial department at St John's Hospital, Chelmsford whilst establishing his own practice in St Albans.In 2005 he moved to Devon.
Dr Olivelle takes the utmost pride in his work and adopts a professional and caring manner. He is dedicated to providing the very best quality of dental care and treatment, he has a keen interest in Oral Surgery, in particular all aspects surrounding the placement of dental implants, including perio-surgery (the gums), and oral enhancement / reconstruction.
Dr Olivelle is in surgery on Fridays.
Oral Surgeons
Dr Sara Hutchinson FDS RCS(Eng)
Dr Caroline Harvey FDS RCS(Eng)
Dental Hygienists
Jo Edwards EDH
Jo Edwards has been at Croydon House for many years. She trained while in the Royal Navy. She has just returned from a six month sabbatical. Jo is available Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
Lizzie Hulme EDH
Lizzie has a specialist interest in periodontal treatment, implants and the treatment of anxious patients. On qualifying in 1983, she was the youngest hygienist at Birmingham since the programme began.
Lizzie is available for appointments on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Practice Management
Lynn Badiani RDN
Practice Coordinator
Lynn is a qualified dental nurse married to Dr Badiani from when he was a student in Newcastle. Their daughter Nina was born around the same time Mitesh qualified.
When they first took over the Practice, Lynn was on Reception but had to hand over to Liz when Kieran was born. Lynn started working from home promoting the Practice and when the Victoria Road Practice relocated in 2002, Lynn was responsible for what the patients see today, and has also worked her magic on Croydon House.
Lynn is constantly promoting both practices and installing the high standards of professional care our patients benefit from. BDA Good Practice Scheme, Investor in People Award, 5 nominations in Practice of the Year Award 2004...this is just a part of Lynn's behind the scenes activity.
Liz Northmore
Practice Manager
Liz has worked at Croydon House since 1980 with 16 years chair side experience as a dental nurse before taking over Reception from Lynn, when she had her son Kieran in 1996, then progressing to Practice Manager.
Many of the patients here at Croydon House are 'old friends'. Liz has been here so long she is part of the fixtures and fittings, having been 'sold' with the Practice on two occasions!
Liz also works closely with Lynn on the promotions. At the dental awards last year she met 'Jaws' from the James Bond films, and has been to the Devon Life Offices in Totnes to see how an 'ad' for Croydon House was made.
Dental Nurses
Emma Birtwistle
RDN
Senior Implant Dental Nurse /
Course Coordinator
Emma joined the Practice in 1999 as a trainee dental nurse passing the National Certificate in May 2002. She has just completed her radiology training (2007).
Emma is now an experienced dental implant nurse, assisting with all aspects of implantology, from simple cases to more complex procedures. she is a member of the British Society of Oral Implantology, and has mentored many dental nurses starting out in dental implantology. She travels throughout the UK, assisting Dr Badiani in giving support to other dental implant practices. Emma has been a regional coordinator for a recognised implant training course for several years.
Emma has also trained Rie, Amy and Amanda to assist with implant dental surgery.
Rie Robbins RDN
Implant Dental Nurse
Rie came to our practice on work experience in 2004 and is now a fully qualified dental nurse and has just (2007) completed her radiology training. Rie assists Dr Badiani with dental implants and works alongside Emma mentoring other dental nurses.
Diana Mearns
Dental Nurse
Diana has returned to dental nursing after spending time as a theatre practitioner at Torbay hospital. Diana joined our team in 2007 and is currently working towards her national certificate in dental nursing.
Emily Wells RDN
Dental Nurse
Emily joined our team in January 2008 whilst working towards her national certificate in dental nursing, which she passed in July. Emily has become a vital member of the team, and is training to assist Dr Badiani with dental implants.
Amy Hellier RDN
Dental Nurse
Amy returned to Croydon House in the summer of 2008 after leaving us in 2007 to experience dental nursing in a city environment. Amy has been dental nursing for over eight years, she is trained to assist in dental sedation, and has also assisted with various dental implant systems.
Complementary Therapists
Jacqueline Kareh RGN RMN
Holistic Health Practitioner
Born near Cambridge, Jacqueline trained and worked as a general and psychiatric nurse in Edinburgh. After an extended period traveling and working her way around the world, Jacqueline settled in Germany for almost 15 years and developed her work there.
For almost thirty years she has studied and practiced a wide range of therapy forms, energy work, healing and complementary medicine, as well as nutrition and holistic lifestyle counseling. She brings all these skills and techniques into her work as appropriate and has specialised in those treatments described in the Holistic Heal section of this website.
She gives individual sessions, teaches reflexology and metamorphic technique and leads holistic weight-loss/detox groups.
Amanda Smith ITEC TATh BCMA
Aromatherapist / Thermo-Auricular Therapist® / Part-time Receptionist
Massage has interested Amanda from a young age and after becoming a mother she decided to train to become a qualified therapist. To her massage is a natural instinctive thing to do, like when a child falls down and you rub it better. The nurturing quality that comes with her massages can only benefit an individual, each treatment is designed for a clients specific needs.
Whether your require a pampering session or wish to improve your health and well-being.
Amanda is also an advanced trained thermo-auricular® therapist, and helps on reception part-time.
For more information go to the complementary therapies section of this website.
Reception
Dawn Knowles
Full Time Receptionist
Dawn joined our reception team in 2007 after many years managing a ladies department in a busy shoe store. Her patience and people skills have made the transition from foot to mouth pain free!