Meet the team

Dr Piyush Patel

Principal Dentist

GDC 73064

Piyush qualified from Glasgow Dental School in 1997. In 2000 he achieved a diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (MFDS RCPS). His special interests are in cosmetic facial and dental aesthetics, placing and restoring dental implants, adult braces and offers facial cosmetics using dermal fillers and botox™ type treatments.

What is your favourite film?

Shawshank Redemption

What makes you laugh?

Watching only fools and horses… timeless!

What are your pet hates?

Coat hangers… hate untangling them!

What is the most adventourous thing you have ever done?

Climbing Kilamanjaro

Dr Milin Damani

Dentist

GDC 244890

He began his career in dentistry at Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry, in Plymouth. He has a special interest in implantology and is completing his postgraduate MSc in this discipline. He is also a proud member of the Royal College of Surgeons.

He also recently has visited Mini Smile Makeover Course and acquired a taste in cosmetic dentistry. He has a gentle and calming approach towards his work.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Cycle yoga meditate and go on long walks

What one trip was the most memorable for you?

‘Backpacking’ around Vietnam, Sri Lanka and South India

What are your top five things to do in your bucket list?

Walk the Great Wall of China, Drive the Mongol rally, Climb Mount Everest, Obtain a pilot licence and Parachute out of an aeroplane.

What was your proudest moment?

Baking my first set of cheese scones

What one food would you eat every day if you could?

A vegetarian Sunday roast

Dr Reem Khalifa

Dentist

GDC 295068

Dr Reem qualified from Alquds University, Jerusalem in 2011 achieving her degree with clinical distinction. She has a broad wealth of experience in Cosmetic Dentistry and Facial Aesthetic, both of which have allowed her to achieve the highest level of results for her patients.

Her passion as a dentist is to make all her patients feel relaxed when in her care and achieving healthy, natural looking smiles for everyone.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Wolf

What are your pet peeves?

Dentists talking to patients while drilling their teeth.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Sleep, have a nap and horse-riding

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Retired and living in a farmhouse looking after my horses and chasing my chickens

Dr Karan Patel

Dentist

GDC 297272

Karan graduated from Charles University in Prague in 2021 and has since developed a broad range of experience in general dentistry.

His approach to dentistry is simple: be honest, explain things clearly and never overcomplicate treatment. He takes time to help patients understand their options and aims to make appointments relaxed, comfortable and straightforward.

Karan particularly enjoys treatments that can transform a smile while keeping dentistry as natural and minimally invasive as possible, including Invisalign, composite bonding and smile makeovers. He also enjoys complex extractions and the problem-solving side of general dentistry.

Outside the practice, Karan is happiest backpacking, hiking, travelling and finding somewhere good to eat.

What was your proudest moment?

Graduating as a dentist in Prague after five years of hard work

What trip will you never forget?

Backpacking through Vietnam and Indonesia in 2025

What would your perfect day off look like?

A difficult hike, followed by a meal and drinks with friends

What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching the entire Harry Potter box set again

Dr Dhruv Patel

Dentist

GDC 319147

Dhruv graduated from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2024. He enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with particular interests in oral surgery, crowns and onlays. He is also keen to develop his skills further in implant dentistry in the future.

Dhruv believes that building trust and making patients feel comfortable is one of the most important parts of dentistry. He takes the time to understand each patient’s needs and prefers to work together with them to reach a treatment decision that is right for them. He particularly enjoys the social side of dentistry and meeting and getting to know a wide range of people.

Outside of dentistry, Dhruv enjoys keeping active and plays football and cricket regularly. When he gets the rare completely free weekend, his ideal plan would be to spend the entire thing sleeping!

What is your favourite TV series?

Rick and Morty

What is your go-to comfort food?

Pepe’s Chicken and Rice

What is the best place you have ever travelled to?

Travelling South-East Asia during my university career elective

What is one thing on your bucket list?

Skydiving

What is a random fact about you?

I was the head teacher of my primary school for one day!

Dr Jessica Patel

Dentist

Jessica graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2018 and is a caring and approachable dentist with extensive experience providing dental care for children and adults with additional needs, complex requirements, and dental anxiety.

She has a particular interest in supporting anxious and nervous patients and understands that visiting the dentist can be a challenging experience for some. She has a special interest in paediatric dentistry and sedation. Her calm, patient and reassuring approach focuses on building trust, listening to individual concerns, and adapting treatment to each patient’s individual needs.

Jessica has experience providing dental treatment under sedation, including inhalation sedation and intravenous sedation, helping patients who may otherwise find dental treatment difficult to tolerate. She also has experience caring for patients undergoing dental treatment under general anaesthetic, giving her valuable experience in managing patients with more complex needs and significant dental anxiety.

Her background in paediatric and special care dentistry has developed her ability to work with patients of different ages and needs, including those who may require additional time, reassurance, or adaptations to their dental care.

She believes that good dentistry is about more than simply treating teeth. Her aim is to create a positive, comfortable, and supportive experience for every patient, while providing high-quality, personalised, and preventative dental care.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Cheetah

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Exploring new places and trying different foods. I also like to keep active with running and strength training

What one food would you eat every day if you could?

Asian cuisine! I love the variety of flavours, spices, and dishes, so it would be very hard to choose just one favourite. If I had to pick, I’d probably go for a good Thai or Japanese meal.

What makes you laugh?

Probably my own delayed reactions! Sometimes the penny takes a little while to drop, so I’m often the last person to get the joke - which usually makes everyone laugh even more.

Joe Poole

Hygienist

GDC 4659

Joe joined the Royal Air force in 1989 and became a dental nurse. She then went on to study at the Institute of Dental Health at RAF Halton where she qualified as a dental hygienist in 1994. For the past 18 years she has worked as a hospital hygienist within the Maxillo Facial Unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, specialising in oral cancer and palliative care.

What is your favourite book?

Mythos by Stephen Fry. Two of my favorite things combined history & Mr Fry

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I managed to pass my advanced diving course in Cyprus which was scary and exciting in equal levels!

What five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Stephen Fry, obviusly because he’s a legend, Rick Astley, he was my first love, Oscar Wilde, obviously for the banter, George R R Martin, I’m a massive GOT fan and Ann Rice, I need to everything about Lestat!

What food would you eat everyday if you could?

Cheese, because why wouldn’t you unless your lactose intolerent of course!

Kamini Shrubb

Dental Therapist & Hygienist

GDC 152716

Kamini qualified as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist from the University of Sheffield in 2008 and is passionate about helping patients achieve and maintain excellent oral health in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

She takes great pride in putting patients at ease, building trusting relationships, and explaining treatments in a clear and straightforward way. By creating personalised care plans tailored to each individual’s needs, she aims to support long-term oral health and encourage healthy habits that keep smiles looking and feeling their best.

Outside of work, Kamini enjoys cooking, reading, and watching movies.

Jeromini Desman Ramesh

Dental Therapist & Hygienist

GDC 297312

Jeromini is a Dental Hygienist and Therapist. She graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2021 and has been working in dentistry since then. She currently works as a locum across four to five different practices in Leicester.

She is very passionate about patient education, preventative care and providing care tailored to each individual patient. Working across multiple practices has given her experience treating a wide range of patients with different needs. She has also worked with many anxious and nervous patients, with whom she is very patient and reassuring. She is a very thorough and hardworking clinician and takes pride in providing a high standard of treatment for all her patients.

Outside of dentistry, Jeromini has a huge interest in fitness and is currently learning to swim. She loves spending quality time with her family and is a huge fan of home-cooked meals. She can’t wait to start travelling and exploring different countries, cultures and cuisines.

What is your favourite film?

Home Alone

What makes you laugh?

Best friends

What was your proudest moment?

Graduation

What one trip was the most memorable for you?

Paris – would defo go again!!

What was your first full time job?

Dental hygienist and therapist

Emma Goodman

Practice Manager

GDC 258435

Julie Dixon

Dental Nurse & Treatment Coordinator

GDC 136407

Julie has been dental nursing since 2002 and has worked at West Road Dental Practice since May 2017. She moved to Rutland in 2013. She enjoys her free time spending it with her new partner Mike and their dog, Dobie, walking and gardening and socialising with friends and family.

What was your first job?

VAT inspector

What makes you laugh?

My dog, Dobie

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What’s that?!

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Climbing the O2 with my twin sister on our 50th birthday

Emily Thorpe

Receptionist

Emily is a friendly and approachable Dental Receptionist who enjoys making every patient feel welcome and comfortable from the moment they arrive at the practice. She is passionate about providing a warm, professional experience and helping patients feel at ease throughout their visit.

In her role, Emily enjoys the variety of working in a busy dental practice, from welcoming patients and managing appointments to answering enquiries and supporting the dental team. She is organised, caring, and always happy to help wherever she can.

Building positive relationships with patients is one of the things Emily enjoys most about her role. She is proud to be part of the team at West Road and to contribute to providing excellent patient care.

What makes you laugh?

Myself

What is your go-to comfort food?

Fajitas

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Shopping and seeing my friends

Pooja Modi

Dental Nurse & Compliance Officer

Pooja qualified with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in 2023 from India and later completed an MSc in Global Healthcare Management from Coventry University in 2025.

She is passionate about dentistry, patient care, and supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the practice. Currently working as a Dental Nurse and Compliance Officer, Pooja plays an active role in maintaining high standards of patient care, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Having successfully passed Part 1 of the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE), she is working towards full registration to practise as a dentist in the UK. Pooja is committed to ongoing professional development and enjoys expanding her clinical and leadership knowledge within the dental profession.

Outside of the practice, Pooja enjoys travelling, adventure activities, singing, and playing the guitar.

What one food would you eat every day if you could?

Anything my partner cooks!

What is one thing on your bucket list?

Skydiving and scuba diving

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Exploring new places and discovering new experiences

What makes you laugh?

Spending time with my family

Nicole Chilvers

Dental Nurse

GDC 311975

Nicole is an experienced Dental Nurse with over six years of experience in the profession. She enjoys being part of a friendly and supportive dental team and is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable and at ease throughout their dental journey.

Nicole takes pride in providing compassionate patient care and supporting both patients and clinicians to ensure every visit runs smoothly. She is dedicated to creating a positive experience for patients and helping them feel confident in their dental care.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with family and friends and making the most of her free time.

What is your favourite TV series?

Gilmore Girls

What is your go-to comfort food?

McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets

What makes you laugh?

Spending time with my daughter

What was your first full-time job?

My first full-time role was as a Dental Nurse

Rhiannon Rhodes

Dental Nurse

Rhiannon is a dedicated Dental Nurse who is passionate about providing excellent patient care and ensuring every patient feels comfortable and supported throughout their visit.

Alongside her nursing role, Rhiannon has a keen interest in digital dentistry and is involved in the practice’s 3D printing workflow. She enjoys working with modern technology to help deliver efficient and high-quality treatment outcomes for patients.

Rhiannon takes pride in being part of a friendly and professional team and is committed to continually developing her skills and knowledge within the dental profession.

What is your favourite film?

Grease 2

What makes you laugh?

My family

What was your proudest moment?

Achieving my postgraduate degree

What trip will you never forget?

Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee

What was your first full-time job?

Carer