Most of the team at Cwmbran Dental Care have worked together for many years. Being like a family ourselves, we hope that the atmosphere in the practice reflects this.
All our clinical staff members are registered with the General Dental Council and undergo rigorous training and updating.
Find out more about each of our brilliant team members below:
Originally from Kidderminster, Matthew graduated from Cardiff Dental School in 1999. Enjoying South Wales so much he stayed on, working in various NHS and Private practices, before finally settling in Cwmbran, where he has worked continuously since 2000. In 2010 he was delighted to take over the practice alongside Ruth Collis.
Matthew firmly believes in giving his patients the knowledge and skills to help them prevent dental disease themselves. With a preventative approach, patients get as little intervention as possible, which usually puts a smile on both their faces and the teams. However, when intervention is required, Matthew is keen to ensure that the treatment he provides has a strong evidence base and is at the forefront of modern dental thinking. This desire led to him to gain his Postgraduate Certificate in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry from Warwick University.
Matthew currently spends one day a month working as a Practice Advisor for Denplan, where he appraises other Denplan Excel practices to ensure that they are meeting the high standards that all Denplan Excel dentists must achieve.
Away from practice, Matthew can usually be found walking his beloved cockapoo Isla around Cardiff parks. If he is not walking in them, you may find him running around them, or doing outdoor exercise classes in them. Matthew also enjoys a curry, red wine and reading historical fiction novels.
Qualifications and Achievements:
BDS (Wales) 1999
PGCert (Warwick) 2013
Ruth qualified with Distinction in 1985 from the University of Wales College of Medicine. She went on to gain valuable experience in Oral surgery, Oral medicine, Periodontology and Restorative dentistry while working in Cardiff and Glasgow Dental Hospitals.
On returning to Wales, Ruth worked in several NHS General Practices, while holding a part-time position at Cardiff Dental Hospital treating patients with Special Needs. Having worked in Cwmbran since 2002, Ruth then purchased Cwmbran Dental Care with Matthew Calder in 2010.
Ruth’s enjoyment of General Practice comes from meeting interesting people from all walks of life, being able to transform their smiles and helping to reduce their anxiety while they undergo treatment.
In 2013, Ruth gained her Postgraduate Certificate in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry from Warwick University. She remains committed to postgraduate dental education, gaining knowledge of the latest dental techniques and materials, by attending numerous courses.
Beyond dentistry, Ruth enjoys dog walks, litter picking (a great form of mindfulness), gardening, trips to the theatre and the occasional glass of Prosecco. She dreams of one day hitting the road in a campervan with her nearest and dearest.
Qualifications and achievements:
BSc Joint Hons (Cardiff) 1981
BDS (Wales) 1985
PGCert (Warwick) 2013
Rachel’s career in dentistry began with her qualifying as a Dental Nurse from Cardiff Dental School in 2011. General Practice followed, where she completed additional training in Radiography and Dental Management. Passionately caring for patients and with a desire to educate them to improve their oral hygiene, she decided to retrain as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist.
It was while on this journey, and studying for her A-Levels, that Rachel started working at Cwmbran Dental Care as a Locum Dental Nurse to fund her studies. She went on to gain a 1st Class Honours degree at Cardiff University. We were thrilled that after graduating, Rachel decided to return to work for us as a fully qualified Dental Hygienist and Therapist. With all her experience, she is a great asset to patients and staff alike.
Rachel particularly enjoys helping nervous patients, by acclimatising them to reduce their fears and anxieties while they undergo treatment. She likes attending courses, where she can continue to develop new skills and network with her peers.
Outside of work Rachel loves eating out, then burning off the calories by exploring the countryside with her partner and their dog Layla.
Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Cardiff University 2019
NVQ L3 Dental Nursing & VRQ L3 Dental Nursing City & Guilds 2011
Originally from Northern Ireland, Tracey moved to South Wales after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy in 2009.
Tracey joined Cwmbran Dental Care in 2011 and has become a much loved member of staff due to her caring and gentle nature. Her role in the team is in the prevention and treatment of gum disease and she spends time helping and showing our patients how they can maintain and improve their oral health. In addition, Tracey is also fully trained in the delivery of whitening procedures.
Outside of work, Tracey loves spending quality time with her son and husband. She enjoys exercise – cycling, the gym and is a keen runner, having participated in several charity races. She also enjoys watching rugby – especially when Ireland beat Wales!
Qualification:
Diploma in Hygiene and Therapy Sheffield 2009
The foundation in dentistry for Sophiya, was when she qualified as a Dental Nurse in 2015. She went on to study to be a Hygienist at Bristol University, qualifying in 2018. Her ambitions led her to become a Dental Therapist and gain a BSc (Hons) in Oral Health Science from Essex University in 2023. Sophiya works alongside our other Hygienists, forming a strong support team for our Dentists.
Sophiya’s favourite part of the job is helping patients to look after their dental health, enabling them to keep their smiles for a lifetime. She lives by the motto ‘Prevention is better than cure’. She enjoys helping patients with dental anxiety to feel more relaxed in the dental chair. Sophiya also strives to make a positive impact on her patients, by improving their concept of dentistry through knowledge and understanding.
When Sophiya is not working, she likes spending quality time with friends and family by trying out new eateries, or by baking for them. She enjoys walking, exercise workouts and yoga. Relaxation involves her lounging on the sofa and catching up with the latest TV shows.
Qualifications and Achievements:
BSc (Hons) Oral Health Sciences University of Essex 2022
Diploma in Dental Hygiene University of Bristol 2018
Certificate of Higher Education in Dental Nursing University of Portsmouth 2015
Justine is our longest serving member of staff, having worked in Cwmbran since 2002. She is the cornerstone of the practice, her roles being many and varied. These include being the practice’s First Aider, Fire Warden and Legionella officer, her calm persona making her perfect for these roles. In addition her friendly, compassionate and kind nature means she is constantly providing help and support to patients and staff alike.
Justine says she is very lucky to still love dental nursing and meeting our lovely patients, after all her time in General Dental Practice. She says that she has enjoyed her job so much that she has never once got out of bed and thought “I wish I didn’t have to go to work today”. How many of us can say that? Her passion and enthusiasm for her job are clearly evident and an inspiration to us all. This is why she was a ‘Best Dental Nurse’ finalist several years running.
To celebrate 30 years in the profession, Justine did voluntary work in Morocco, providing dental care to those desperately in need. Over the years, she has seen many changes within dentistry, but keeps up to date and adapts to these changes by attending multiple courses each year.
Justine is the proud mother of identical twin girls and their labradoodle Fletcher, which ensures life outside work is busy and very entertaining. When she does find time for herself she enjoys reading a good book.
Qualification and achievements:
National Certificate NEBDN 2000
The Dentistry Awards – Best Dental Nurse Finalist 2019
The Dental Awards – Best Dental Nurse (Highly Commended) Finalist 2020
Victoria started out in dentistry working as a Dental Receptionist in Newport, where her job entailed her meeting and greeting patients along with administrative duties. Keen to further her career in dentistry, she went on to qualify as a Dental Nurse, completing her Level 3 Diploma in 2014.
In 2023 Victoria joined Cwmbran Dental Care. Her bubbly, chatty nature ideally places her to relax and reassure our patients. Victoria particularly enjoys being part of a team and describes the favourite part of her job, as assisting the dentist and hygienist at the chairside and providing for the needs of patients.
Away from work, Victoria enjoys weekend trips in her caravan, relaxing walks with her husband and 2 dogs and meeting with family and friends for meals out. Victoria loves tackling house renovation projects, which she describes as exhausting, but fun and exciting.
Qualifications and Achievements:
Diploma in Dental Nursing Level 3 QCF City & Guilds 2014
Lauren qualified in 2014, joining Cwmbran Dental Care in 2018, where she soon went on to gain an additional qualification in Dental Radiography. She currently divides her time between clinical and administrative duties and is able to assist the dentist by taking dental X-Rays. She is also one of the practice’s First Aiders.
Lauren likes being part of a supportive team and working in a modern surgery environment. She particularly enjoys building up a good rapport with patients, chatting to them at the chairside to ensure they feel comfortable at each visit. Her enthusiasm for any task she takes on and her positive attitude make her loved by staff and patients alike and she is a great asset to our team.
In her spare time, Lauren enjoys long walks with her dog and trips to the coast in her campervan.
Qualifications and Achievements:
Diploma in Dental Nursing Level 3 QCF City & Guilds 2014
NEBDN certificate in Dental Radiography 2018
Julie is our most experienced member of staff, having been a Dental Nurse since 1977. Since joining Cwmbran Dental Care in 2009, Julie works both in the surgeries, where she assists the dentists and hygienists, and also on reception.
With her cheerful, bubbly nature and easy going character, Julie is the perfect person to ensure that patients feel comfortable and at ease at all times. Julie’s job satisfaction comes from working as part of a professional team and gaining a patient’s confidence. Her rewards are when patients show appreciation of the excellent service she strives to provide and seeing them leave with happy, healthy smiles.
When not at work, Julie enjoys family life, especially time with her grandchildren. Julie’s hobbies include gardening and craftwork. She also enjoys walking in the great outdoors.
Qualification:
Certificate in Dental Surgery Assisting NEBDSA 1977
