GUM HEALTH TEAM
Our gum health team can help you to keep your mouth happy and healthy.
OUR TEAM | GUM HEALTH
WHY CHOOSE US
For people who have suffered gum problems, it can be hard to know how to seek help or where to turn to. However, it can often be a straightforward problem to correct and all this can be done confidentially and discreetly at VIDA. The VIDA team works very closely with each patient to create bespoke courses of treatment, directly addressing specific problems or worries.
Gum problems can return and over time cause unsightly gums, bad breath and social problems, therefore our team not only treats the gums but also educates you in spotting the warning signs and knowing how to manage problems in their early stages.
Our Periodontics Lead
Many patients choose to see our resident Periodontics Lead Clinician, Dr Brett Leftkowitz, for an initial assessment and course of treatment, then choose to remain with him for continuing dental care. Brett is always happy to meet for a complementary and informal chat prior to any commitment. At VIDA we understand completely that choosing the most skilled clinician for the job is just as important as finding that special trust and rapport which puts you at ease. This ensures you get the most from your treatment, with personal attention and support when you need it.
For particularly nervous patients, Brett’s gentleness and vast experience prove a winning combination. Many patients find that their confidence in visiting the dentist returns once they’ve met him.
DR BRETT LEFKOWITZ BDS MSc (Dent) (Witz) GDC number 69167
VIDA Dentist, Clinical Lead for Periodontics at VIDA
Special Interests: Periodontics (gum disease), Prosthodontics (rebuilding teeth), Dentures, Oral surgery, anxious patients
Brett is the VIDA dentist with a particular interest in gum problems, how to keep gums healthy and he heads up our experienced Gum Health team.
Brett qualified as a dentist in 1988 and has an impressive career as both a surgeon and a general dentist. His surgical skills are extensive and he worked as a Registrar in Maxillofacial and Oral surgery before taking the decision to devote his time to helping patients in general practice. His passion for surgery has helped him with management of challenging gum problems and also extensive tooth loss, as Brett is vastly experienced in replacing dentures with implants, or alternatively placing only a few implants to help stabilise troublesome full arch dentures. Brett is also an advocate of socket preservation, a technique that helps patients maintain shape in areas where they are having tooth extractions. There isn’t much Brett hasn’t studied in great depth, but what is most striking is that his primary focus is always the patient, what they want or need, and how his skills can be used to help them achieve it.
For particularly nervous patients, Brett’s gentleness and vast experience prove a winning combination. Many patients find their confidence in visiting the dentist returns once they’ve met him.
We are particularly excited to be working with Brett to increase our provision for dementia patients or those with associated concerns, both at homes and in care centres.
More about Brett’s qualifications
Brett is currently enrolled on the Periodontics Masterclass and he is a speaker at the dentist and patient education events held at VIDA.
Previously Brett was MD at Megagen Dental Implants UK and Training Programme, managing three implant clinics for the prestigious Portman Dentalcare. He has worked at prestigious practices around the UK, including several years at the private practice of the UK’s leading expert in tooth whitening, Dr. Linda Greenwall.
As with every VIDA dentist, Brett combines incredible clinical experience and technical skills with a clear view of why a VIDA dentist comes to work; to help patients solve their problems but still retain a natural quality to their appearance and quality of life.
SUE WOODWARD RDH, CEB DipDent Hygiene | GDC No. 2121
VIDA Hygienist offering Direct Access
Sue trained at the Royal Naval Dental Training School HMS Nelson and she worked at this practice for almost 30 years before it became VIDA in 2016.
She says: “Thirty years is a long time to work for one company, but since I started here I’ve never wanted to work anywhere else. It’s a great team and I love helping patients look and feel better, so I get a lot of job satisfaction.”
Sue loves crime and thriller fiction, black and white films and taking trips to London to visit the theatre. She’s also a keen gardener.
KAREN ELAINE KNOWLES RDH, CEB DipDent Hygiene | GDC No. 5688
Karen trained at Guys Hospital London and qualified as a hygienist in 2000, joining this dental practice the same year.
She says: “I came here as a newly qualified hygienist over 10 years ago and I’ve been able to develop my skills and build a career with the support of a great team, and it’s a fun place to work — what more could you ask for?”
When she’s not at work Karen loves being out in the fresh air gardening or cycling, and she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
REBEKAH LEMON BSc Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Portsmouth 2008 GDC 151540
VIDA Dental Hygiene Therapist
Rebekah is a formidable clinician and has been a Hygiene Therapist since 2007, which allows her to undertake all the usual hygiene services including cleaning and polishing teeth and bespoke homecare advice. Rebekah is also trained to undertake fillings, whitening, children’s extractions and impressions, including those for Invisalign, when working under the direction of a dentist.
As a mother to three young children, and an experienced clinician, Rebekah is able to spend time building your child’s confidence and dental health knowledge. Our Learning to Care appointments for young children help to build confidence with dental care. They are designed to introduce younger patients to the pleasure of having polished teeth and getting personal attention from a caring professional.
Bring your own toothbrush for a fun and educational session with Rebekah; we even have a very tall mirror so all ages and heights of patients can show us how they brush at home!
More about Rebekah’s qualifications
Rebekah qualified in 2008 and has extensive experience as a dental hygienist. As part of her Therapist qualification there are many treatments she can carry out on behalf of the dentist.
Importantly, non-registered patients are able to have hygiene appointments with Rebekah without being registered with a VIDA dentist, a treatment described as “Direct Access”.
Many patients say that Direct Access allows them to feel better about the appearance and health of their teeth before a dentist examines them, which is a common embarrassment after unintentional lapses in dental care. With brighter cleaner teeth, confidence is increased, and patients often feel able to address more serious problems with a VIDA hygienist.
Rebekah is also qualified to take impressions and provide tooth whitening.
Before qualifying as a Hygiene Therapist Rebekah spent many years as a dental nurse and Oral Health Educator. This deep understanding of dental care from the patient’s perspective affords her great insight into the importance of her preventive work as Hygienist.
INTAN WHITE GDC No 110653
Hygiene Therapist
Intan is one of the hygienists on our Saturday team at VIDA and she shines with positivity and warmth.
With brighter, cleaner teeth, confidence is increased, and patients often feel able to address more serious problems with a dentist once they have been treated gently and with compassion by a VIDA hygienist.
Call us for a Saturday appointment with Intan and she will show you how much better your teeth look and feel after a Classic Scale and Polish appointment.
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