Meet Our Team
Meet Our South Shields Team
Our Specialist Orthodontists
Callum Rushforth
Owner/Orthodontist
(63854)
Callum graduated as a dentist from Dundee University in 1988. After working as a general dentist and senior house officer, he completed orthodontic specialist training in Newcastle in 1996. He is the founder and part owner of Wearside Orthodontic Centre since 2001. Callum has a wealth of experience in providing all types and technologies used in orthodontic care. Outside work, Callum enjoys time with his family and his chicken farm.
Simon Lovel
Owner/Orthodontist
(80602)
Simon graduated as a dentist from Newcastle University in 2002. After working as a general dentist and in the hospital for a few years, Simon undertook his specialist training in Liverpool. He became a specialist orthodontist in 2008. He is the part owner of Wearside Orthodontic Centre. Simon has a wide range of experience in orthodontics and was the single largest provider of Lingual orthodontic appliances in the north east of England. Outside of work, Simon loves time with his young family and enjoys Cricket with his son!
Ninu Paul
Specialist Orthodontist
(245392)
Ninu qualified as a dentist from India and embarked on an academic clinical journey in the UK where she obtained two master's degrees and a PhD in clinical dentistry. She worked as a General dentist in England and Scotland before she completed her specialist training in Newcastle. She now works in our practice and as an Academic specialist orthodontist at Newcastle University. Outside work, Ninu enjoys time with her family and application of machine learning.
Management Team
Louise
Practice Manager
(157635)
Our Orthodontic Therapists and Dental Therapist
Caroline
Orthodontic Therapist
(124615)
Work background: Caroline has worked at the practice since it opened in 2001. She has gained post-graduate qualifications in dental radiography, oral health education, orthodontic nursing, and in 2010, she earned her orthodontic therapy qualification.
What you like about your job: I enjoy seeing the confidence grow in patients and how happy they are at the end of treatment.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy meeting up with friends and family. I like cooking, attending my partner’s boot camps, and the occasional sea swimming.
Hayley
Orthodontic Therapist
(118616)
Kirsty
Orthodontic Therapist
(110366)
Work background: Kirsty has worked in dentistry for 23 years. She began her career at Wearside as a dental nurse, later qualifying as an Orthodontic Therapist. She has been with the practice since 2011.
What you like about your job: I enjoy meeting new patients, creating smiles, and witnessing the positive changes in their confidence.
Interests and hobbies: I love spending time with my family and my dog. I also enjoy reading and baking.
Michele
Orthodontic Therapist
(125955)
Work background: Michele trained at Leeds Dental Hospital and tutored here for 2 years. She has also worked at a specialist practice in Nottingham before relocating to the Northeast, where she joined us at Wearside.
What you like about your job: I love my job because I get a lot of job satisfaction and enjoy seeing the happy smiles of patients. I particularly like treating teenagers and watching them grow into adults with beautiful smiles.
Interests and hobbies: I am a qualified yoga teacher, but nowadays you’ll usually find me at the gym. I also enjoy walking sometimes and keeping up with a good book in my spare time.
Lucinda
Dental Hygienist / Dental Therapist
(135765)
Work background: Lucinda began her career as a dental nurse in 2007 and completed a postgraduate qualification in radiography in 2008. In 2012, she decided to further her career by becoming a Dental Hygiene Therapist, qualifying from Newcastle University in 2015.
What you like about your job: I enjoy helping patients improve their oral health. Every day is unique as each patient brings something different!
Interests and hobbies: Most of my spare time is spent caring for my 3-year-old. I also love dog walking and visiting the Lake District.
Administrative Team
Judith
Head Receptionist
Work background: Judith has worked in dentistry for around 17 years, starting as a receptionist for 11 years and then progressing to Practice Manager for 4 years. Judith has been with us since the opening of Wearside Orthodontic Centre in South Shields in 2022, which has led to her current role as head receptionist.
What you like about your job: I enjoy working with patients and following them throughout their journey to see their happy and perfect smile at the end of treatment.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy going away for weekends and holidays with my partner and two dogs, as we do a lot of walking. I also love going to the theatre.
Christine
Receptionist / Dental Nurse
Leoni
Receptionist
Treatment Coordinator
Suzie
Treatment Coordinator / Dental Nurse
(147766)
Work background: Suzie has worked as a dental nurse for nearly 20 years. She has gained a qualification in sedation and joined us here at Wearside Orthodontic Centre in May 2024.
What you like about your job: I enjoy working as part of a team and love my role as Treatment Coordinator, as I really enjoy talking to patients and explaining their treatment.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family and socializing with friends.
Dental Nurses and Decontamination Staff
Laura
Dental Nurse
(156623)
Work background: Laura has worked in dental nursing for 20 years and has obtained her Radiography qualification.
What you like about your job: I love running my own clinic and having interactions with patients.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my family.
Jessica
Dental Nurse
(293213)
Work background: Jess has worked as a dental nurse for 6 years and has recently completed her Orthodontic Dental Nursing course.
What you like about your job: I love being part of a patient's journey and seeing them fall in love with their smile.
Interests and hobbies: In my spare time, I’m either at the gym or sitting down with a book.
Ellen
Dental Nurse
(273452)
Natalie
Dental Nurse
(281946)
Holly
Dental Nurse
(313179)
Tracey
Dental Nurse
(107982)
Lorna
Dental Nurse
(246499)
Work background: Lorna qualified in 2012 in a private practice before moving to general dentistry. She gained her sedation qualification and specialized in this area for 6 years before recently transitioning to orthodontics.
What you like about your job: I enjoy seeing the patient’s full journey, from their start pictures to their end result.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy traveling to new countries and having family days at the farm or park with my son and husband.
Nadine
Decontamination Operative