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Meet the Team
Nigel Williams - GDC: 63560
General Dental Practitioner
Nigel Williams qualified from Birmingham University and King’s College London in 1988. He first started practicing at Hay-on-Wye as an associate in 1990, becoming a partner in 1995 and practice owner in 2003.
Since selling the practice in 2007, Nigel has worked as an associate at Hay Dental Centre, and provides a wide range of dental treatments in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
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In his spare time, Nigel sings with and accompanies Talgarth Male Voice. He is also an avid follower of rugby at local and international level.
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Nigel works at the practice Wednesday – Friday.
Johannes Cornelius Dirksen Van Schalwyk - GDC: 73211
General Dental Practitioner
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Originally from South Africa, JC attended the Pretoria University originally obtaining a degree in Microbiology and Physiology. He proceeded with his education by conducting a year of breast cancer research. This was followed up by a degree in Dentistry, graduating in 1997. He then moved to sunny Margate in Kent starting his career in Dentistry and by 2001 began work in the private sector. By 2005 JC owned a private practice in Broadstairs. During his tenure, he obtained qualifications in facial aesthetics and attended Tipton Training in London for Implant placement. In 2013 JC travelled to Sao Paulo in Brazil to further his skills in implant placement and sinus lifts. The practice in Kent is still open and currently focuses on placing implants, cosmetic dentistry (teeth straightening) and aesthetic treatments. All of which JC is extremely passionate about and thoroughly enjoys delivering these services at Hay on Wye. During the lockdown of 2020, like a lot of people, he took stock of what he wanted out of life and decided to have a major change and bought a property in Wales as he's have always been drawn to the Welsh countryside and its beauty. JC was thrilled to be given the opportunity to work at Hay on Wye Dental Centre. He works at the practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Away from work, JC loves going for long walks, hiking, canoeing and generally enjoys keeping fit and healthy. He loves good food, hence the need for a lot of exercise! He is an avid fan of Rugby, especially when South Africa plays. He also loves the fact that Wales is a great rugby nation.
Rachel Hope – GDC: 73103
General Dental Practitioner
Rachel has been qualified for over 20 years. She has worked in hospital, Community and general dental practice settings gaining experience in all aspects of dentistry.
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Rachel enjoys providing general dentistry in a relaxed and friendly environment. She combines her role in Hay with working as a Speciality Doctor in Restorative Dentistry at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, a post she has held for over 10 years.
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In her spare time Rachel enjoys spending time with her family on their small holding near Brecon and walking her dog.
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Rachel works at the practice on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Daniel Rhys Mock – GDC: 278494
Implant Dentist with an interest in Periodontology
Dr Daniel Mock graduated from Cardiff University, with Honours in 2018.
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After this, he worked in Liverpool as a general dentist for 12 months, before moving to hospital dentistry where he practiced as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Senior House Officer for 18 months. In this job role he gained experience in Surgical Dentistry as well as managing acute facial trauma and severe dental infections.
From there, Dan moved to Australia where he worked in the Sunshine Coast acting on a referral base or Dental Implants and Oral Surgery. His interests within Dentistry include Periodontology, Implantology and Oral Surgery, choosing to carry out extra training in these areas to further develop his skills.
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He is committed to further education and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry and is now undertaking a Master’s degree in Periodontal Surgery.
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Outside of dentistry Dan grew up in Blackwood. He played Rugby League for Wales U18’s and rugby union for a number of semi-professional teams throughout his time in University. Since qualifying he has swapped his rugby boots for running shoes, enjoying long runs and keeping fit.
On the weekends Dan loves to spend time with his wife, Megan and walking their energetic cocker spaniel, Samson.
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Dan works at the practice on Wednesdays.
Erlind Pepla– GDC: 257266
Endodontist
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Erlind qualified from the “Sapienza University” in Rome (Italy), one of Europe’s most prestigious universities and ranked first in Italy, in 2010.
His further education includes MSc in Endodontics in 2011 and a PhD in Restorative Dentistry in 2015, both from the “Sapienza University” in Rome.
Erlind moved to the UK in 2015 to take up a position as Endodontist in several practices in Suffolk. In 2017, he accepted a position as a part-time Clinical Lecturer at Bristol University, teaching basic (3rd year students) and advanced (4th year students) Endodontics.
In 2020 Erlind became the Endodontic Lead at Bristol University, overseeing all the Endodontic teaching and assessment. In 2023 Erlind became Senior Clinical Lecturer In Endodontics. He has been working closely with Health Education England in providing endodontic courses since 2022.
He has experience working in practices alongside other specialists in providing complex planning and specialist treatment. This includes treating dentally anxious patients with IV sedation in conjunction with a visiting dental seditionist when necessary.
Erlind is accepting referrals for regular and complex root canal treatment and re-root canal treatments. In his spare time Erlind enjoys spending time with his daughter and family.
Erlind works at the practice on Saturdays.
Aimee Richards - GDC: 217495
Dental Hygienist
Aimee qualified in 2021 from Cardiff University, and has 15 years of experience working in dentistry.
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She enjoys working with patients to educate them on how to improve their oral health, whilst providing tailored oral healthcare regimes to be completed at home.
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She takes pride in helping patients transform their smile.
In her spare time, Aimee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the outdoors.
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Aimee works at the practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Aseena Mehar Aniz Bin – GDC : 300355
Dental Hygienist/Therapist
Aseena qualified with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at the Rajiv Gandhi University, India in 2010. She then went on to obtain a Masters in Advanced General Practice (MSC) from Ulster University, Northern Ireland in 2022..
Aseena is looking forward to work as a dentist in the UK once she has completed the ORE. Meanwhile she registered as a Dental Hygienist/Therapist in the UK. Aseena joined the practice in June 2022.
In her spare time, Aseena enjoys meeting her family & friends, she also loves travelling.
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Aseena works at the practice on Monday, Tuesday, Wendesday & Thursday.
Julia Cooper - GDC: 145596
Practice Manager
Julia qualified as a dental nurse in 2002 and gained her Radiography Qualification in 2018, she has worked in general dentistry and as a specialist Implant nurse.
Julia joined Hay-on-Wye in 2016 and progressed from Senior Nurse to Practice Manager in February 2019.
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In her spare time Julia enjoys spending time with her family and horse riding.
Leah Gibbons
Receptionist
Leah joined the practice in January 2022 and works as a Part-Time Receptionist. Leah previously worked at a local nursery as a nursery practitioner.
In her free time Leah enjoys spending time with her young family and shares an interest in her partners farm.
Sam Bowen – GDC: 269310
Lead Dental Nurse
Sam started at the practice in 2015 as a trainee dental nurse and gained her nursing qualification in 2017. She has since gone on to gain her radiography qualification and is now the lead dental nurse in the practice. She is also our implant lead and assists along side Daniel Mock with our implant cases.
Out of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places to walk with her dog Luna.
Mike Vane – GDC: 254693
Dental Nurse
Mike joined the practice in March 2023, he qualified in NVQ level 3 Dental Nurse in 2014 in Oxford, and completed further courses in running clinics on delivering better oral health.
In his spare time Mike likes spending time with friends and family. He is a fan of Rugby, Motorsports and boxing.
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Rachel Ralph - GDC: 313683
Specialist Dental Nurse
Rachel joined the practice in 2022 as a trainee dental nurse and then gained her qualification in October 2023. She has since gone on to progress to our specialist endodontic nurse and assists Erlind Pepla with our Root canal treatments. She also enjoys implant nursing at the practice.
Out of work Rachel enjoys riding her horses, spending time with her dog Ruby and working on her small holding.
Amanda Angove - GDC: 175584
Dental Nurse
Amanda joined the practice in November 2023 having qualified as a dental nurse in 2009.
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In her spare time Amanda enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places to hike and enjoys water sports.
Sarah Eckley - GDC: 321028
Dental Nurse
​Sarah joined the practice in January 2023 as a trainee dental nurse and qualified in July 2024.
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In her spare time Sarah enjoys horse riding, walking her dogs, breeding pygmy goats and spending time with her family & friends. She also enjoys helping on the family farm and pony stud.
Katrina Haywood
Trainee Dental Nurse
Katrina joined the practice in October 2024 as a trainee dental nurse and is currently working towards gaining her nursing qualification.
In her spare time Katrina enjoys boxing, jui jitsu and also works as a domiciliary carer when she has time.