Our Team
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Emma – Practice Manager
Emma has been part of the dental world for over 20 years, and for the past year, she’s taken on the role of Practice Manager at GNDC. She’s definitely not your stereotypical manager—she’s all about teamwork, laughter, and keeping things real. She leans on her amazing team just as much as they lean on her, and together they make the practice feel like a second home.
Quirky, warm, and full of energy, Emma brings her own unique sparkle to the practice. She’s also a huge Christmas fan, so expect the festive cheer to start early!
At home, Emma is married and proud mum to her lovely daughter Grace. She’s also kept on her toes by her two dogs, Frank and Peggy, who definitely think they’re in charge.
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Gemma – Practice Coordinator
Gemma is the friendly face and organisational force behind the scenes at GNDC. As Practice Coordinator, she ensures the day-to-day operations run smoothly and that every patient has a positive and seamless experience. Known for her warm personality and calm, can-do attitude, she’s always happy to help and keeps the whole team smiling.
With a natural flair for multitasking and a passion for people, Gemma brings structure, support, and a personal touch to everything she does at GNDC.
Outside the practice, Gemma runs her own dog grooming business — combining her love for animals with her creative side. Whether she’s scheduling appointments or giving pups a pamper, Gemma brings care, attention to detail, and positive energy to every role she takes on.
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Cerys – Lead Receptionist
Cerys moved from Stranraer to Newcastle to join the GNDC family—and to be with her boyfriend, Owen. She’s the friendly face you’ll meet when you visit, always ready with a smile and a warm welcome.
A fitness enthusiast, Cerys loves talking about her step count and brings the same energy to work as she does to her workouts. She’s known for being kind, funny, and always willing to help anyone in need.
Though Cerys now calls Newcastle home, she misses her dog Ozzy, who’s still living in Scotland. But no matter where he is, she’s always thinking about him!
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Rachael – Treatment Coordinator
Rachael has been part of the GNDC team for over 3 years and is our fabulous Treatment Coordinator. Always smiling and full of positive energy, she’s here to make sure your journey through treatment is smooth, supported, and stress-free.
A true social butterfly, Rachael always has something fun in the diary—whether it’s jetting off on holiday or heading out for food with friends. She’s a people person through and through, and is always on hand to help out wherever she can.
At home, she’s kept company by her two gorgeous dogs, Annie and Harper, who are just as friendly as she is!
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Leila- Dental Nurse
Leila is always on the move—whether she’s dancing and competing with CM Dance Academy or out partying with her friends. She loves spending time with her family and her dog, Milo, who’s always by her side. For the past two years, she’s been working at Great North Dental Care as an apprentice dental nurse and is now almost finished with her exams to become fully qualified. She’s passionate about what she does and loves being part of the team. When she’s not working, you’ll find her on holiday chasing the sun, relaxing on the beach, or out enjoying a delicious meal.
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Reigne- Dental Nurse
Reigne is a qualified dental nurse with three years of experience, currently working at Great North Dental Care. She is fluent in two Filipino dialects with English as her third language. Her ability to communicate across languages helps her create a welcoming and supportive environment for every patient.
Reigne has a strong passion for travel and dreams of exploring more countries around the world. In her downtime, she enjoys relaxing with her beloved dog, Milo, and finds joy in music—whether she’s listening, singing, or playing a tune on the piano or ukulele.
Her caring nature, love for adventure, and creative spirit shine through in everything she does.
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Sophie- Dental Nurse
Sophie joined Great North Dental Care as a Trainee Dental Nurse in September and is enjoying every moment of her apprenticeship. She’s eager to learn and has embraced the opportunity to grow within the role, especially valuing the relationships she’s built with her colleagues. Originally from London, Sophie enjoys visiting her family whenever she can and seeing her dog, Maui. In her spare time, she loves meeting up with friends and enjoys travelling and exploring new countries when she gets the chance.
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Laura- Dental Nurse
A qualified dental nurse with a natural warmth and calming presence, she’s passionate about making every patient feel comfortable and well cared for during their visit. With experience supporting a wide range of treatments, she thrives as part of a team dedicated to transforming smiles. Her organisational skills and friendly nature shine through—whether she’s assisting during a procedure or offering a reassuring chat to help calm pre-appointment nerves.
Outside the practice, she treasures quality time with her family, loves heading off on adventures in the motorhome, and never misses a chance to catch up with friends. She believes that a good laugh and time spent outdoors are just as important as a healthy smile.
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Dr Dheeraj Chopra – Principal Dentist & Practice Owner: 191928
Raj is the Principal Dentist and proud owner of Great North Dental Care. He divides his time between GNDC in Wideopen and his second practice in Seaham, which he took over in 2017.
After graduating from the University of Glasgow in 2010, Raj went on to become a Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 2012. He completed his General Professional Training at Newcastle Dental Hospital, gaining valuable experience across a wide range of specialties including restorative dentistry, oral surgery, oral medicine, sedation, and emergency care. During this time, he also completed the Core Course in Conscious Sedation at the University of Newcastle.
Raj is passionate about minimally invasive and cosmetic dentistry. He’s a certified Invisalign, Inman Aligner, and Quick Straight Teeth provider and is currently studying for a Diploma in Orthodontics to expand his expertise in both aligner and fixed brace treatments. He’s also completed a postgraduate certificate in restorative and cosmetic dentistry at the Dominic Hassall Training Institute, and keeps his skills current with advanced techniques like injectable composite bonding and SmileFast.
Raj’s career has taken him from general practice in South Tyneside to providing dental care in North East prisons. He continues to support patients across the region through his role with the Northern Doctors Urgent Care service, delivering out-of-hours emergency treatment.
Outside of dentistry, Raj is a keen golfer, regular five-a-side footballer, and a dedicated family man, kept on his toes by his wife and two young daughters.
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Dr Claire Towers – Dentist: 106811
Claire joined GNDC in July 2021 and offers a comprehensive range of both NHS and private treatments. With over 25 years of experience in the dental field, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.
Claire began her dental career in 1998 as a dental nurse, gaining invaluable experience in both NHS and private practices across the North East. In 2007, she followed her passion for dentistry and began her dental studies, further expanding her skills and understanding of patient care.
Her strong foundation in dental nursing continues to be a real asset, especially in the way she connects with and supports her patients. Claire has a natural talent for putting nervous patients at ease, offering a calm and reassuring environment that helps them feel safe and comfortable throughout their treatment.
She has a particular interest in restorative dentistry, including white fillings, composite bonding, and teeth whitening. Claire is also a certified Invisalign provider, with a proven track record of delivering beautiful, life-changing results that help transform her patients’ smiles.
Outside of the practice, Claire loves spending time with her family and friends. Her favourite pastime is heading off on adventures in her campervan with her three dogs, discovering new places, and making lasting memories
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Dr David Lawler – Dentist 192270
David joined GNDC in September 2024 and quickly became an integral part of our dental team. He graduated from Newcastle University in 2010 with Merit in both academic and clinical dentistry. In 2012, he completed the Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, followed by a distinction in the University of Central Lancashire’s Facilitating Learning in Healthcare Practice course in 2013/14.
David has a passion for mentoring the next generation of dentists and has played a key role in the Dental Foundation Training programme, regularly acting as a foundation trainer since 2014.
A true family dentist with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry, David offers a wide range of NHS and private treatments including composite veneers, teeth whitening, white fillings, flexible and metal dentures, and aesthetic anterior and posterior restorations. He is also a fully certified Invisalign provider, having helped over 100 patients transform their smiles with fantastic results.
Outside of clinical work, David is active within the profession—he’s the current treasurer of the BDA Northern Counties Branch, an elected member of the North of Tyne Local Dental Committee, and a Member of the Joint Dental Faculties at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
When he’s not at the practice, David enjoys life with his young family and two bulldogs, Layla and Betty. He’s also a talented guitarist, playing in a local band and sharing music through live gigs and recordings. A keen vinyl collector and bourbon enthusiast, David’s passions outside of dentistry are as impressive as his clinical skills!
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Louise Allison: 65418
Louise is a dedicated dentist at Great North Dental Care who enjoys a peaceful, joy-filled life in the countryside with her husband and a rather charming menagerie. Their home is shared with three much-loved dogs—Vita and Freida, gentle Italian Spinone rescues from the Netherlands, and Max, a spirited Patterdale terrier they adopted. Adding to the mix are two hand-raised sheep, Jojo and Susie, whom she lovingly raised from orphaned lambs. The family also keeps chickens—though sensibly, the dogs and hens maintain a respectful distance from one another!
Outside of dentistry, she’s passionate about horses, cooking, and gardening—anything that allows her to connect with nature and express her creativity. Sharing good food and laughter with friends, whether at home or in a favourite restaurant, is one of her greatest joys.
A keen traveller, she finds deep inspiration in exploring new places, with a particular fondness for France. The enchanting regions of Alsace and the Dordogne hold a special place in her heart, thanks to their magical scenery, rich culture, and unforgettable cuisine. She recently returned from an incredible trip to Goa, India, and is already looking forward to celebrating her birthday in Bordeaux this September—especially after falling in love with the charm of nearby St. Émilion.
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Hannah Foster: 263597
Hannah joined our team in February 2022 and has been making smiles brighter ever since! As a qualified Dental Therapist, Hannah is known for her friendly, professional, and empathetic approach — with just the right amount of fun to make every appointment feel a little more relaxed.
She loves the variety her role brings, balancing both therapy and hygiene appointments, and has a real passion for helping patients achieve cleaner, healthier smiles. Hannah particularly enjoys air polishing for stain removal — giving patients that extra sparkle! ✨
Outside of work, Hannah is a big sports fan. She’s held a Sunderland football season ticket since she was just seven years old (now that’s dedication!). She’s also an adrenaline junkie — skydiving 15,000ft over Las Vegas because, well, why not?!
If she’s not cheering on her team or watching a boxing match, you might find her chilling with her favourite film, Jaws, and an ice-cold vanilla latte in hand.Hannah’s passion for patient care, her adventurous spirit, and her sunny energy make her an absolute asset to our team — and a firm favourite with our patients.