Meet the team

At Longwell Green Dental & Implant Clinic our highly skilled, friendly team shares the same single vision: we put you first. Together, we are dedicated to providing you with a first class experience, from the comfort of our reception to the very latest innovations in dental technology. We make sure you have the best possible care from the second you walk through the door.

Find out more about each of our practice team members below.

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Luisa Costa

Luisa Costa

Dental Practitioner
LMD (Portugal) 2008
GDC No. 177212

Luisa originates from Portugal where she studied and graduated in dentistry in 2008. In 2009 Luisa moved to England and originally worked in a mixed NHS/private practice. Patient care and wellbeing is important to Luisa, and she decided to move into private dentistry to spend more time with each patient and ensure they have positive experiences.

Luisa enjoys every aspect of dentistry and has completed several postgraduate courses. Luisa also studied Nutrition which is a big passion of hers. Luisa has a holistic approach to dentistry, and is passionate about learning and developing new skills.

When not learning or studying you will find Luisa baking delicious healthy treats, travelling, enjoying the sunshine or playing with "Bernie" her 3 months old puppy.

Cornelius Krause Pic

Cornelius Krause

Dental Practitioner
Zahnarzt Berlin 2003
GDC No. 84121

Cornelius Krause of CK Dental graduated from one of the best dental schools in Germany. In his time in Germany, he worked with internationally renowned dentists to enhance his knowledge and practice of minimal-invasive dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry.

His passion for the latest technology and its implication in day-to-day dentistry for the benefit of the patient could not entirely be satisfied until the opening of CK Dental where patients can now benefit from the latest technology together with his calm and gentle approach, vast experience and reassurance.

Josie Leach Photo

Josie Leach

Dental Practitioner
BchD (Leeds) 2014
GDC No. 252104

Jo, originally from Suffolk, qualified from Leeds University in 2014. After completing her foundation year in Dentistry, she was asked to stay on at her practice in Nottingham before making the move to Australia in 2016 to work and travel for two years.

Jo takes pride in her work; she loves to create a friendly and fun atmosphere in the surgery whilst providing high standard treatment. Her bubbly and empathetic attitude allow her to put anxious patients at ease, creating an enjoyable experience for patients of all ages. Having younger siblings, Jo’s personality and her affinity for children allow her to turn their appointments into a fun and educational experience! Her interest in cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth whitening and white fillings, developed into a passion for facial aesthetics (wrinkle reduction) which lead to her completing post-graduate Advanced training in this area.

In her free time, Jo is looking forward to exploring the South West and being closer to family and friends. She enjoys cooking and travelling and is hoping to get a puppy now she’s settled back into life in the UK.

Gurvinder Photograph

Dr Gurvinder Sokhi

Special Interest in Restorative
BDS (Lond) 2001
MFDS RCS (Ed) 2007
MSC Cons Dent (Lond) 2018
GDC No. 79851

Gurvinder qualified from Guy’s Hospital in 2001 and since then has gained wide ranging experience in dentistry both within the practice and hospital settings. He has held senior house office and staff grade positions in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery in the West Midlands. It was during this time that he successfully completed the Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgeons (MFDS) examination with the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.

Prior to his move to Bath, he was a practice principal of a successful dental practice in London. Gurvinder gained an MSc in Conservative Dentistry from the Eastman Dental Hospital in London. This was an intense, year long full time programme, that required the treatment of patients with a variety of complex dental needs.

Gurvinder regularly updates his knowledge and skills through proactive learning and has a special interest in prosthodontics.

Ghauri

Asfi Ghauri

Dental practitioner

From Bristol, Asfi excelled in school, earning himself a place in the world renown King's College Dental Institute in London. During his time at King's, he was presented with the Award for Outstanding Professionalism and was elected the Dental Head of the King's College Clinical Specialities Society.

Upon completion of his illustrious training, he is a certified Invisalign provider and has completed the distinguished Chris Orr's Cosmetic Dentistry and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry course in London. This places him in the perfect position to deliver smile makeovers - teeth straightening, composite bonding, aesthetic crowns and veneers.

Outside work, Asfi spends his free time playing football and going to the gym. Additionally he enjoys travelling and spending time with friends and family.

Ken Lawty

Kenneth Lawty

Dental practitioner
BDS (Plymouth) 2022
GDC No. 302632

Ken was born in Kent and was educated in Hong Kong, UK and the USA. He served 9 years in the Regular British Army and a further 8 years with the Army reserves as a Combat Medical Technician and Pharmacy Technician within the Royal Army Medical Corp, reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. He has served in the UK and overseas in Germany, Kenya and Afghanistan. He was sponsored to complete his dental training and qualified from Plymouth University in 2022. After completing his foundation training in the NHS and moving into private practice, he commissioned at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst obtaining the rank of Captain within the Royal Army Dental Corp.

Ken has a very personable approach to dentistry, striving to communicate comprehensively with patients and building trusting relationships. He has a conservative and minimally invasive approach to dentistry with an interest in endodontics (Root Canal Treatment).

He is a compassionate father of two children and a cocker spaniel called ‘Dave’. Ken is passionate about travelling, culture, and spends much of his free time hill walking in Wales and Scotland.

Kasia Mazur

Kasia Katrine Mazur

Dental practitioner
GDC No. 284093

Kasia qualified in 2016 from the Jagiellonian University, School of Medicine in Krakow. After graduating she moved to Denmark, where she worked for the first few years of her career. After returning to the UK and settling in Bath, she successfully completed her MFDS with the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. Kasia is now completing an MSc in Dental Implantology at Bristol University. She regularly attends national and international conferences and is a member of the International Team for Implantology (ITI) and British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP).

Kasia aims to provide a calm, considered and methodical approach to treatment. She particularly enjoys working with patients who have had difficult experiences with dentistry in the past and seeing them regain their confidence.

When not at work Kasia spends her time doing life sculpture and wood carving, hiking, cooking, and pretending to know something about wine.

Paula Pic Longwell

Paula Jay

Hygienist
E.D.H Dip DH RCS (Eng)
GDC No. 6455

Paula entered dentistry in 1994 after successfully replying to a job ad to become a Dental Nurse.

She moved to London in 2002 to further her career to become a Dental Hygienist and has since gained invaluable experience across General, Private, Hospital based, Domiciliary Care and Speciality practices.

She has a wealth of experience working with Children, patients with Implants & extensive restorations, Orthodontic patients, patients with Dental Phobia/Anxiety, Advanced Periodontal Disease, Oncology care & Oral Surgery, and those with Special Needs.

Paula calls upon her years of experience to holistically care and support her patients and their oral health, tailoring treatment specifically to an individual. She continually attends courses and workshops for professional development.

In addition Paula is a Smoking Cessation Advisor.

Andrea Goldsack

Hygienist
Dip Dent Hygiene Royal College of Surgeons Of England 2010
GDC No. 192866

Sophie Trowbridge

Sophie Trowbridge

Treatment Co-Ordinator
Diploma in Dental Nursing Level 3 QCF (City & Guilds) 2014
GDC No. 255802

I joined Portman in 2015 as a dental nurse, since then I have stopped dental nursing to take on other roles in practice.

I enjoy still being able to liaise with patients whilst being in a admin role.

In my spare time I like to cook, keep fit and spend time with my family, friends and crazy French bulldog.

John Gilborson

John Gilborson

Practice Manager

My name is John and I have been working in the dental sector for the past since 1998. During this time I have worked in various dental practices and organisations working in different management roles.

I joined Longwell Green Dental & Implant Clinic in 2015 as a Practice Manager and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of helping develop the practice and helping enhance the whole patient experience.

In my own time I enjoy spending time with my family, socialising and enjoying sport and supporting my local football team.

Valerie Giles

Valerie Giles

Receptionist

I have worked at Longwell Green dental practice for over 4 years on a part time basis, working Thursday and Friday. I really enjoy the team work we have and everyone here is so friendly and helpful.

I enjoy welcoming and helping patients in my day to day role, and I love the many challenges that presents itself thorougout the day.

Karen

Karen Hall

Receptionist

I’m Karen, I joined the Reception Team in July 2019. I am enjoying all the different aspects of dentistry after spending most of my working life in the Motor Trade. I have always found meeting and helping people to be very rewarding and it’s great to be working as part of such a friendly team.

Away from work I enjoy cooking, reading, travelling and going to the gym


Katie Towells

Katie Towells

Receptionist

I began work as a receptionist for Portman in 2015 after having my first child in 2014. I work part time with 3 other receptionists and thoroughly enjoy the regular interaction we have with our patients at the practice. I have also found it very interesting developing my knowledge of what general dentists and specialist practitioners can now offer to patients in the private sector. When I am not at work I care for my two children who are 5 and 18 months and love being a Mum to them. In my spare time I enjoy running and going to the gym and socialising with friends.

Jenny

Jenny Meek

Dental nurse

I started my career working in a NHS practice and qualifying as a Dental Nurse in 2010 before moving into the private sector.

I joined Longwell Green Dental Clinic in September 2021 working part-time. Its great to be part of such a friendly team.

Outside of work, I have two young children and in my spare time I enjoy taking long walks in the great outdoors and horse riding.

Laura Lockwood Ed

Laura Lockwood

Dental nurse

I started working in dentistry in 2018 and became a qualified dental nurse in 2020. I joined the Longwell Green team in June 2021 and I am enjoying being part of a great team.

I have an interest for working with implants which I enjoy assisting the dentist here at Longwell Green.

Outside of work I like spending time with my family and friends, traveling to new places and reading.

Chelsie Holmes

Chelsie Holmes

Trainee Dental Nurse

Chelsie joined Portman in September 2023 after a change of career from finance/care to dentistry. Chelsie works alongside Asfi and loves how each working day is different from the one before. She enjoys being part of the team here at Portman. Outside of work Chelsie enjoys keeping fit, going out walking with her dachshund 'Opie' and socialising with family and friends. She never says no to dining out. (She's like Joey from Friends though and doesn't share her food).

Sophie Corp

Sophie Corp

Trainee Dental Nurse

Sophie was born in Bristol. She was educated in Wellsway School and finished in 2022.

At the age of 16 Sophie decided she wanted to pursue a career in dentistry and applied to do apprenticeship in trainee dental nurse. Sophie was the youngest trainee dental nurse in the country at the time of starting her course.

An opportunity came for Sophie to join our team in 2023 and she hasn’t looked back since.

Sophie’s hobbies are motorsports, reading and army cadets. Another passion is cruises around the world as recently been to Australia.

Our statement of care

The care of our patients is always our primary concern.

    Care & advice outside of the chair

      Portman Dental Care Awards

      Fmc Logo 2019 Winner Oby M25
      Award Logo 2018
      Dental Industry Award - Portman Dental Care
      The Dentistry Awards - Portman Dental Care
      Private Dentistry Awards - Portman Dental Care
      Elite Practice Award - Portman Dental Care