LINDEN HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE - Key Persons
Alison qualified from Leeds University in 1990 and she offers the full range of general dentistry to Harrogate Dental Practice, Linden House.
Interestingly, Alison was one of the first graduates to go for advanced vocational training after finishing at University. She volunteered to take part in the pilot scheme and it was at this time that her path crossed with Harrogate Dental Practice, Linden House, which was also part of the scheme after being asked to advise newly qualified graduates. The scheme, now compulsory for new graduates, was a great success as it gave newly qualified dentists additional study and experience in the latest, advanced practical techniques.
After staying with Linden House practice for seven years, Alison went to run her own successful practice in Leeds before the birth of her twins gave her a career break and fresh impetus on her return to us.
Alison is also a keen golf and tennis player and keep fit (circuit training) enthusiast. She's also a great cook and always brings beautiful cakes into the practice on her birthdays.
Frances handles the day to day administration and computer records at Linden House.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dentist GDC No. 73246
Graham joined Linden House with 16 years in the Royal Army Dental Corps. He qualified at the University of Leeds in 1997 and became a member of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners at the Royal College of Surgeons in 2001.
Graham has also attained a diploma in Dental Health Services Leadership and Management and is a member of the City and Guilds Institute.
Graham focuses on prevention and has an interest in minimal intervention dentistry, short term orthodontics (CFast) and providing treatment in a cosmetically-focused manner.
Born in Accrington, Lancashire, Graham remembers always wanting to be a dentist from an early age working with his hands and making models.
Harrogate Dentist, Graham's father was an engineer who actually patented the design for the high speed diamond drills that are now used in dentistry. He also researched ultrasonics and developed a needle free pressure gun injection system; quite a gift to the dental industry. Graham used to write up his fathers experiments during school holidays and it is probably not surprising that a successful career in dentistry ensued.
After qualifying in Leeds in 1974, Graham returned to his home in Lancashire to work in a busy NHS Dental Practice. During that particular decade, teeth were usually extracted instead of being saved and it was during this period Grahamworked hard to offer more advanced restorative services to his clients. NHS patients were actually only allowed one plastic crown and one denture every five years unless they chose to go private. How times have changed, not only from a technical point of view but also costs - a course of dental treatment was £3.
Over the following 14 years or so, Graham's early restorative techniques evolved naturally into cosmetic dentistry satisfying a new smily culture as people realised that a great smile comes from an attractive set of teeth. Graham also introduced an American patented technique of making partial chrome cobalt dentures without damaging remaining teeth - this Equipoise technique is still in use at Linden House today.
Ted Kirkby was also a relative of the Thackrays from Leeds, who to this day have the award winning medical museum in Leeds - http://www.thackraymuseum.org/. The Thackrays invented the replacement hip and were involved in ground breaking medical research. Ted shared this thirst for knowledge and application of new ideas which were passed on to his patients at Linden House.
Ted retired from practice in 1988 when current owner Graham Murray took over. Graham shared the same vision and introduced new techniques such as cosmetic veneers and inlays, which required much less preparation of the teeth than crowns; in fact Graham's first practice in Lancashire was one of the first to use the American Chameleon veneers.
Job Titles:
- GDC Reg. 4697 Dental Hygienist
- Linden House As a Dental Hygienist
Kate works for Linden House as a Dental Hygienist and shares her time with another surgery.
She has recently returned to us after having her first child a hiatus which must surely have increased her love of the intricate crochet and embroidery work she is often found beavering away during quieter moments in surgery.
Lorraine helps out on reception and is also a qualified dental nurse working with our hygienists.
Job Titles:
- GDC Reg. 6570 Dental Hygienist
Michelle qualified with distinction in 2004 from Newcastle University and subsequently won the General Dental Council prize for professionalism.
Michelle enjoys providing a first class service to patients by facilitating and instilling good oral hygiene practices, allowing for prevention of both long and short term gum problems. She's a bit of a perfectionist (which drives her husband mad) and takes great satisfaction when seeing the benefits of the dental hygiene maintenance programme; namely progressive and continuing improvement in both dental and general health.
When not at work Michelle is occupied by two adventurous and energetic young boys and her eldest son (along with his friends). When Michelle gets a rare escape from the hustle and bustle of both home and work life, she enjoys walking along the river Nidd, with a pit-stop in Marigolds café (of course!)
Rebecca joins the Linden House Dental Practice team on reception.
She is passionate about delivering excellent customer care and with 20 years experience within the dental industry is happy to answer any queries or help in any way she can.
In 1997 she qualified from Leeds University and chose Harrogate Dental Practice Linden House to complete her vocational training; today, after a very successful period Sian is now an associate.
Suzy is our longest standing employee with over 25 years experience. She works with dentist James Pegg.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dentist GDC No. 65865