Meet Our Team
Meet Our Sunderland 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!
Ania Cala
Specialist Orthodontist
Consultant Orthodontist at Newcastle Dental Hospital (121157)
Ania qualified as a dentist from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. Following this she worked in Poland and in England as a general dentist in NHS and private practices. She then completed her specialist training in Orthodontics from England, and has been working in our practice and as a Consultant orthodontist in Newcastle Dental Hospital. Outside of work Ania enjoys Latin dance and traveling.
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
Helen
Practice Manager
(124998)
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.
Catherine
Orthodontic Therapist
(205470)
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.
Vicky
Orthodontic Therapist
(112138)
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
Lesley
Admin
Work background: Lesley has worked in dentistry for 17 years in general practice and joined Wearside Orthodontic Centre in 2001. Recently, she has taken on a new role as Administrator.
What you like about your job: I enjoy the problem-solving aspects of my role and all areas of administration.
Interests and hobbies: I love walking along the beach and spending time with my family and grandkids. I also enjoy reading in my spare time and going on plenty of holidays.
Ingrid
Receptionist
Work background: Ingrid has previously worked as a Treatment Coordinator alongside being a Receptionist in General Dentistry. She then joined Wearside as a receptionist in 2021.
What you like about your job: I love connecting with patients and working alongside a lovely group of people who always ensure every day is a fun day!
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and going on long walks with Dexter, our family dog.
Kate
Receptionist
Work background: Kate previously worked in sales and at a dog café while qualifying as a beauty therapist. She later changed careers, qualified as a dental nurse, and has been working in dentistry for over six years.
What you like about your job: Every day is different. I enjoy seeing patients' transformations from start to finish and making the staff participate in funny TikToks.
Interests and hobbies: I love spending time with my little boy and going camping and hiking in the Lake District with my partner.
Julia
Receptionist
Work background: Julia worked as a dental receptionist for 5 years before transitioning to an Orthodontic Receptionist role.
What you like about your job: I enjoy working on reception and witnessing patients' journeys.
Interests and hobbies: I love spending time with my son and family, going on weekend getaways with my partner, and doing diamond art in my spare time.
Treatment Coordinator
Alex
Treatment Coordinator / Dental Nurse
(298653)
Work background: Alex has worked in dentistry for 3 years, starting as a dental nurse and now working as a Treatment Coordinator.
What you like about your job: I enjoy helping patients understand their different treatment options, and I love seeing their final results.
Interests and hobbies: I love going on holiday, reading, and going to the cinema.
Dental Nurses and Decontamination Staff
Laura L
Head Dental Nurse
(250588)
Work background: Laura has worked as a dental nurse for 14 years, with 5 years in general practice and 9 years in orthodontics. Laura joined the team here as head nurse in 2019.
What you like about your job: I enjoy working with the entire team, meeting new people, and seeing patients' smile transformations.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, especially my little boy. I also love going for long walks with my two Cavapoos.
Laura P
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.
Sonia
Orthodontic Dental Nurse
(135450)
Lauren
Dental Nurse
(292927)
Work background: Lauren has worked in dentistry for over 6 years. Prior to this, she worked at various dental practices across the northeast, providing patients with support and care.
What you like about your job: I enjoy seeing patients' journeys, especially in orthodontics, and witnessing their final results.
Interests and hobbies: I have recently embarked on a new venture and started doing gel nails. I also enjoy traveling.
Beth
Dental Nurse
(313819)
Work background: Beth has worked in dentistry for 6 years. Before this, she was a travel agent.
What you like about your job: I enjoy being part of transforming patients' smiles, and seeing their end results is very rewarding.
Interests and hobbies: I love going on days out and adventures with my little boy and partner. I also enjoy holidays and trying delicious food.
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.
Ina
Dental Nurse
(274095)
Oksana
Dental Nurse
(287662)
Work background: Oksana has worked as a dental nurse for over 5 years.
What you like about your job: I enjoy meeting patients and their families. It is really satisfying to see how happy the patients are at the end of their treatment.
Interests and hobbies: I like spending time with my family and going out with my children. On my days off, I enjoy seeing my friends and spending quality time with them.
Sarah
Dental Nurse
(308842)
Work background: After leaving school, Sarah worked as a childcare practitioner for 6 years but decided to change careers and pursue dental nursing in October 2020. She qualified in February 2023 and quickly joined Wearside Orthodontic Centre in June 2023.
What you like about your job: I enjoy the relaxed and friendly environment at Wearside Orthodontic Centre. It's nice to build good relationships with patients.
Interests and hobbies: I love reading in my spare time and spending quality time with my daughter and fiancé.
Amanda
Dental Nurse
(255521)
Work background: Amanda has been in dental nursing for 12 years and previously carried out reception duties, which led her to become head receptionist. However, Amanda's heart belongs in the surgery!
What you like about your job: I love being part of a big team, helping and supporting each other, not just in dentistry but in life too! We’re always having a laugh together; we are like a big family here.
Interests and hobbies: I love spending time and making memories with my husband and our little girl.
Criselda
Dental Nurse
(275136)
Work background: Criselda has worked in dentistry for over 10 years.
What you like about your job: I enjoy making a positive impact on patients' health and wellbeing and being part of a team dedicated to improving smiles.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy cooking, baking, traveling long distances, and keeping fit.
Ellen
Dental Nurse
(273452)
Ella
Dental Nurse
(319103)
Work background: Ella began her dental nursing career in May 2022 and qualified in July 2024. She previously worked at a General Dental Practice and recently joined Wearside Orthodontic Centre.
What you like about your job: I enjoy meeting new people and witnessing the progression and confidence a new smile brings to patients.
Interests and hobbies: I have been coaching cheerleading since 2013 and competing nationally. I also love drawing in my spare time.
Jeff
Decontamination Operative
Work background: Jeff has worked in dental decontamination for over 10 years and obtained an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Dental Decontamination in 2013.
What you like about your job: I enjoy working in a challenging job that helps me grow and learn new things every day.
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family and grandchildren, as well as going to gigs and concerts. I also enjoy football and boxing in my spare time.