Smiles Dentist In Crieff, Laurel House

Meet the Team

Dr Michelle Hickey Read More

BDS (NU Irel) 1996 GDC No. 72241 Dr Michelle Hickey graduated with honours from the University College Cork in 1996 gaining a degree with distinction in Oral Surgery. To further her post-graduate training she held two Senior House Officer posts in Peterborough and Glasgow respectively. During this time she gained hands on experience in the management of acute trauma cases, longterm management of oral cancers and various oral and maxillofacial procedures.

On moving south she joined two exclusively private clinics in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. While there she furthered her post-graduate training in advanced cosmetic procedures in the Eastman clinic and was accredited with the following courses at the Pankey Institute, Florida and the Howard Steins Advanced Restorative Course, London. She mastered the communication skills necessary to deal with nervous and phobic patients to ensure they receive the best dental treatment without undergoing sedation or general anaesthetic.

On relocating to Basel, Switzerland an opportunity arose to join a private implant and restorative clinic. She studied at the ITI Straumann Institute and gained valuable practical experience as well as fluency in another language! There she managed complex restorative and prosthetic cases varying from precision attachments to full mouth oral rehabilitation .

In 2004 she came to Laurel House Dental Practice to benefit patients with her insights into how ethical private care should be delivered and its benefit to patients oral and systemic health. Hundreds of patients from near and far have since testified to the dramatic change in their health, their interest in maintaining that standard and even their enjoyment of their dental visits. Dr Hickeys open and communicative style continues to help many to relax in the dental chair and learn of the many advances in dentistry that can be of benefit. The fact that so many no longer have ‘an emergency’ is testament to her individual approach to each patients care and gentle attention to detail.

When not in surgery or attending post-graduate courses Michelle is a busy mum with a love of cross country running, munro-bagging, foreign travel, film and theatre.

Dilen Divecha Read More

Hygienist GDC No. 185617

Dilen is a qualified Dental Therapist/Hygienist living in Edinburgh, who graduated from Dundee University in 2009.

He was born and raised in Zimbabwe and moved to the UK around the age of 14.

Dilen enjoys playing squash and tennis, going to the gym and swimming. He is fond of cooking (as well as eating the results) and likes to experiment, trying different cuisines. Dilen enjoys beach or sun holidays, but doesn’t get to enjoy these as often as he’d like.

Emanuela Hunter Read More

Receptionist

Emanuela originally visited the UK for a holiday and from the moment she came to Scotland felt at home. She was completely overwhelmed by its beauty and so decided to start looking for a job over here.

Nearly six years have passed, Emanuela has now got married to a Scottish man called Gavin and had the opportunity to work in different places such as The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery where her job role was mainly being a Tour Guide.

She now works at Laurel House Dental Practice, Crieff as a Dental Receptionist ensuring the smooth running of the reception area and making patients feel at home

In her spare time she likes spending time with friends, watching TV, listening to music, reading and sleeping (when she gets the chance). One of her passions is languages, infact Emanuela has a Diploma in Languages and is fluent in Italian, English and Spanish. She has also studied German and French.

Lesley Fleming Read More

Practice Manager, Treatment Co-ordinator and Radiation Protection Supervisor GDC No. 121847

Lesley Has 12 years of dental experience gaining her SVQ level 3 in oral health care 2005 working within an NHS dental practice. Lesley has knowledge and experience from NHS treatment, private Dentistry through to Implant treatment and has worked with James hull Associates for 8 years starting at our Dundee practice, Richmond Dental Care where she gained extra qualifications such as Radiography, Implant nursing Courses and a Diploma in Infection Control. Lesley then joined Laurel House, Crieff in October 2011 holding position of senior dental nurse working closely with our lead clinician Michelle Hickey. She also is our Radiation protection supervisor, Infection control lead and First aider.

Lesley is very passionate about Dentistry and is always working to further her career and now holds position of Practice Manager at Laurel House. Training others has always been a career long aspiration and is very tuned into maintaining a high standard of patient care. Although Lesley is Practice Manager she still holds her GDC number to allow her to assist with nursing duties when required and is our Implant and treatment co-ordinator.

Outwith work Lesley’s main passion is physical fitness through running and gym training. She has now become very involved in weight training. So maybe we will see her one day as miss muscle universe champion! She spends a lot of time with family and friends and loves to shop.

Lorna Henderson Read More

Trainee Dental Nurse

Having started in January 2012 as a trainee Dental Nurse, Lorna is the newest member of the Laurel House Dental Practice team.

Lorna is a local, having been raised in Crieff and after spending some time away gaining a photography diploma and holding down a variety of jobs, from Farm work in the Midlands to Retail in London, she is happy to be back home.

She returned to Scotland in 2008 when securing the role as Supplement and Reagent Technician for E and O Laboratories, Bonnybridge, Manufacturers of Microbiological culture media. She worked closely with the research and development scientists, implementing, optimising and validating new and existing products in preparation for release into the pharmaceutical and diagnosis market.

Lorna feels that combining experience working within the Laboratory environment and the customer service experience gained from various supervisory roles, she is putting skills learned to good use. Especially with the sound base of guidance and support from such a wonderful team here at Laurel House, she looks forward to getting to know all our patients individually and going on to having a full and rewarding career within Dental Nursing.

Outwith work she loves to read, mainly Bukowski books and poetry, attending the Theatre and music in all forms, including attending rock festivals annually. She also enjoys playing various musical instruments such as the Saxophone, Bass guitar, Acoustic guitar and more recently, a Ukulele. Lorna says she would adore a Drum Kit but “I don’t think my neighbours would approve!”

Justine Cruickshank Read More

Dental Nurse

In 2005 Justine began a 2 year trainee dental nurse course at Dundee Dental Hospital. This exciting opportunity gave her a great insight into many clinical procedures and specialities.

Following completion of her SVQ level 3 in Oral health care, Justine moved onto a post working as a qualified nurse in a general NHS practice which provided her with experience in a primary care setting. Justine has experience working in both a Private practice and community services and currently part takes in community out of hours emergency dental services some weekends.
She has a strong interest in surgical procedures and endodontic procedures aswell as cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry.

Justine enjoys gaining more knowledge and experience attending regular courses and has been previously appointed the role of trainee dental nurse mentor which she aims to achieve this role within Laurel House, Smiles Dental where she feels sharing her knowledge and experience will provide a better quality of service to our patients.

In Justine’s spare time she enjoys cooking and has currently applied to be a contestant for come dine with me, So watch this space!
She loves to entertain and spends most of her spare time with friends and family.

Aleksandra Wolska Read More

BDS (Poland 2003), GDC No 199256

Aleksandra graduated in 2003 from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland. After graduating she began a one year post-graduate practice in Lodz (2003-2004). After this year Aleksandra returned to the south of Poland where she grew up. In the years 2005-2012 Aleksandra worked in a mixed practice and also her own private practice. During these years, Aleksandra participated in a number of dental courses and symposia.

Aleksandra is secure about her skills regarding preventive dentistry and endodontics. Aleksandra is interested in aesthetic dentistry and would like to develop in this area. Because Aleksandra likes dentistry and to travel and explore new cultures working in Scotland allows her to combine both of these passions.

Aleksandra is a mother of a wonderful boy, with whom she loves spending her free time. In her spare time Aleksandra likes to swim, do yoga, skiing and traveling.