Meet The Team
To find out more about the team at Charminster please select from the categories below to find out more.
- Dentists
- Hygienists
- Support Staff
Dentists
Saffina Nanji: Principal / Specialist Periodontist
BDS (Manc) MClinDent (Perio) MFDS RCS (Eng) MPerio RCS (Ed) PG Cert Sed RCS (Eng)
Saffina graduated from the University of Manchester in 2003. Having worked within general practice, hospital and community dental clinics both in the UK and Australia, she has a broad range of experience in treating patients’ with complex medical and dental needs. In 2006 she was successful in achieving Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) and a certificate in conscious sedation from the Royal College of Surgeons, England.
Saffina then undertook four years of specialist training at Guy’s, Kings and St Thomas Dental Institute in London in the field of Periodontics. This also included extensive training and experience in Implant dentistry. In 2011 she was successful in achieving a Masters of Clinical Dentistry degree in Periodontics as well as Membership in Periodontics from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Saffina is able to offer a wide range of treatment for the management of Periodontal disease as well as the provision and management of Dental Implants.
In her free time, she enjoys socialising, travelling, baking and running.
Samir Jivraj: Principal / Dentist
BDS (Lond), MJDF RCS (Eng)
Samir qualified from Guys, Kings and St Thomas' Dental School in 2004 with merit. He has been working as a general dentist for the past 8 years in a variety of practices providing comprehensive dental care to children and adults alike.
In 2008 Samir was awarded the Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties (MJDF) diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons England. He is also due to complete the 3 year Diploma in Postgraduate Dental Studies (DPDS) from the University of Bristol in the near future where he has undertaken further study in the fields of anxiety control and sedation and oral surgery.
He also has an interest in cosmetic dentistry and completed the Certificate course in Cosmetic Dentistry and Aesthetic Restorative dentistry from Advanced Dental Seminars in October 2009.
Samir is able to offer high quality comprehensive general dental care.
In his spare time, Samir enjoys playing tennis and squash (albeit badly) as well as playing the trumpet.
Clive Nicholls: Specialist Periodontist / Dentist
Clive qualified in 1979 from The Royal London Hospital, and went on to train for a further 2 years in Connecticut U.S.A. to become a Specialist in Periodontology (gum disease).
On returning from the States, Clive took up associate positions with prestigious practices in Newbury and Tunbridge Wells before opening Charminster House Dental Practice in his hometown of Bournemouth in 1985.
Clive has been involved in teaching at Kings Dental School, has published numerous original research papers in the area of his specialty, and has lectured nationally and internationally for many years.
In 2006 he was honoured by being made the President of the American Dental Society of London, and continues to be actively involved in this prestigious society, attending meetings in London and in Europe
Elena Cheshankova - Dentist
Elena Cheshankova-Kostova graduated as a dentist in 1988- DDM (Sof). She obtained MSc (Dent) from the University of Witwatersrand/Johannesburg in 1999 and PG Diploma in Implantology in 2006 from the University of the Western Cape.
She worked in private general dental practice both in South Africa and in the UK and was a lecturer in Restorative dentistry at the University of Witwatersrand for five years. Her main interest is in the field of restorative and aesthetic dentistry.
Her free time she spends with her family, at the gym or practicing yoga.
Hygienists
Gloria Nicholls : Dental Hygienist
Gloria qualified as a dental assistant and taught at the University of Connecticut Dental Centre, where she met Clive, her husband. She then furthered her career as a Dental Hygienist with the Royal Army Corp in Aldershot in 1985.
Although she is now semi-retired you will often see her in the role of cover for maternity/holiday leave, as well as making the all important cups of tea.
Gloria now spends more time with her hobbies of knitting, sewing, quilting, gardening and soon to help organise her daughter’s wedding.
Stephanie Downton: Dental Hygienist
Stephanie trained at Kings College London and qualified as a Dental Hygienist in 1994. Stephanie is also a qualified dental health educator.
She joined Charminster House in November 2004. She is a member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy and attends conferences and lectures to continue her professional development.
Stephanie enjoys walking, she regularly attends the gym and also swims to keep fit. Most weekends are spent with family and friends.
Kelly Taylor: Dental Hygienist
Kelly trained at Kings College London and qualified as a dental hygienist in 2003, achieving the award for the best clinician in her graduating year. Kelly is also a qualified radiographer and oral health educator.
She joined Charminster House shortly after qualifying in Sept 2003. She regularly attends meetings and lectures and has continued her professional development by keeping up to date with latest techniques.
Kelly works full time and has a very active life outside of work. She enjoys keeping fit, travelling and socialising with family and friends.
Leah Stokes: Dental Hygienist
Leah has been involved with the Dental Profession for a number of years having previously worked as a qualified Dental Nurse and Oral Health Educator in the Dorset area. Leah then attended Bristol Dental School where she achieved a Diploma in Dental Hygiene in July 2011.
Leah is a keen member for the Society for Dental Hygienists.
Tracy Ryan: Dental Hygienist
Tracy trained at the Eastman Dental Hospital and qualified as a dental hygienist in 1999. Tracy is also a qualified dental radiographer and oral health educator. Tracy joined Charminster House in 1985, originally working as Clive’s dental nurse, and then returned as a dental hygienist shortly after qualifying in 1999.
Tracy regularly attends hygiene meetings and lectures to continue her professional development. During her spare time she enjoys being with her two young children and competing in agility trials with her four dogs.
Jessica Smith : Dental Hygienist, Therapist
Jessica joined our team at the beginning of this year as a dental hygienist and therapist. She qualified in May 2009 and was awarded the highest mark in the dental hygiene clinical case study presentation. Her high level qualification allows her to not only provide hygiene treatment to patients but also provide dentistry for children. She enjoys developing professionally by attending regular courses and meetings, and likes to keep up to date with the latest proven techniques.
She has a wide range of hobbies and interests including snowboarding/skiing, travelling and horse riding, as well as reading and listening to music.
Support Staff
Lucy Sharples: Practice Manager/Radiographer/Dental Nurse
After joining the practice in January 1998 as a qualified dental nurse (1997), Lucy worked alongside one of the associate dentists for 8 years before taking over the role of practice manager.
Since then she has gained her dental radiography qualification and has a clinic one day a week as well as looking after the dental team and completing her office duties.
She completed her BTEC Level 4 Course in Dental Practice Management in May 2010 and is able to utilise what she learned on a day to day basis, to ensure that both the staff and patients are kept happy!
She currently works part time and enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, enjoying days out with her family as well as socialising with friends.
Hannah Sibley : Receptionist, Dental Nurse
Hannah joined the practice initially in 2006 as a qualified dental nurse. She worked alongside the associate up until 2008 when she took a year off to travel the world. She returned to the practice six months ago and has now taken over on reception. She has recently completed her dental health education course and attends regular meetings and training courses to keep up to date with her continuing professional development. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, camping and surfing.
Sophie Goulding : Receptionist, Dental Nurse
Sophie joined the practice in July 2011 as a dental receptionist. She is now due to start her Dental Nurse Diploma in September and is looking forward to spending some time in surgery, and expanding her knowledge of the dental profession.
In her spare time Sophie enjoys socialising with her friends and family, travelling and keeping fit.
Tracey Armstrong : Dental Nurse/Radiographer/Dental Health Educator
Tracey gained her dental nursing qualification with merit in 1996 and joined Charminster House in 2000. She has previously worked and gained invaluable experience alongside the oral surgeons at Poole Hospital which she found fascinating. She currently works with Clive and very much enjoys the variety of work, working alongside a specialist periodontist.
In 2008 she gained her dental radiography qualification and as part of her extended duties she works alongside the dental team as a dental health educator.
For recreation she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her family: husband Simon and her two boys Edward and Roy, along with her French Bulldog Humphrey.
She has also gained a qualification in "wine tasting" which she found very difficult!
Adele Forward : Dental Nurse/Radiographer/Dental Health Educator
Adele has been dental nursing since 1994. Since then she has developed her professional portfolio and is qualified in dental radiography and oral health education, using these amongst other skills at Charminster House.
In April 2010 she completed her level 3 BTEC Receptionist course and has been able to utilise her Dental Health Educator experience by going into schools and delivering talks to 5-7 year olds.
Adele enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters
Laurie Randell : Dental Nurse / Dental Health Educator
Laurie joined the practice in Sept 08 and she works alongside the principle associate dentist Elena Cheshankova. She qualified as a dental nurse in 2005, and in 2010 she completed her dental health educator course and has a clinic one day a week. She also aims to undertake a qualification in radiography soon.
Her interests include thai boxing and golf, and she is currently renovating her house.