Our founder, Colin Houston, has been the leader of dental excellence at Thorpe Lea Dental since 1998. Recognised for his gentle yet proficient approach, Colin has secured the trust and esteem of patients both near and far, not solely through his remarkable dental abilities but for his warmth and genuine concern. Embarking on his career in 1992, he’s more than a dentist; he’s a compassionate presence, dedicated to the health and smiles of his patients.

His quest for clinical perfection is equally matched by his commitment to patient comfort, ensuring every visit is a reassuring experience. Colin is at the cutting edge of modern dental practices. As a certified Invisalign Gold I provider, he has transformed numerous smiles with this innovative, virtually invisible aligning system. His passion for oral health extends to pioneering treatments like the T-Scan, a digital system that enhances bite analysis and treatment, tackling issues from TMJ disorders to improving overall bite comfort.‍

His dedication to ongoing learning has made him proficient in a variety of specialised services, including dental implants, fast-track adult braces, and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like composite veneers. Each treatment is tailored to the individual, reflecting Colin’s belief in personalised, ethical care.

But Colin’s influence stretches beyond the clinic. A family man with two teenage daughters, he finds balance in the great outdoors, whether that’s windsurfing, cycling, or skiing. This blend of professional dedication and personal warmth makes Colin not just a specialist in his field but a trusted partner in your dental health journey. At Thorpe Lea Dental, it’s not just about crafting beautiful smiles; it’s about fostering lasting relationships built on trust, proficiency, and unparalleled care.

From a young age James always knew that he wanted to pursue a career that would allow him to make a difference in people’s lives. His parents and sister already worked in a healthcare role, and so it was no surprise when James decided to do something similar and become a dentist.

After gaining his qualification and completing the initial couple of years training in practice, James joined Thorpe Lea Dental. It was here that James truly found his calling, and he quickly became known for his friendly and approachable demeanour, putting even the most nervous patients at ease.

Over the past five years, James has made a name for himself as one of the best young dentists in the industry.  And it’s no surprise why – his passion for aesthetic dentistry and commitment to achieving the finest cosmetic results in all aspects of his work is evident in every patient he treats.

James’s journey continues with a commitment to lifelong learning and growth. Having completed his Masters in Restorative Dentistry, he’s even better equipped to enhance his patients’ smiles. James actively seeks out new opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills, ensuring he stays at the forefront of dental advancements.

Nikema (pronounced “Knee-key-ma”) joined Thorpe Lea Dental in 2024 as our dental hygienist. She qualified with Honours in Dental Hygiene from the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy in 2021. Since qualifying, she has continually strived to update her knowledge and technical skills to provide the most evidence-based treatments for her patients. She is a certified Airflow provider with EMS, and has undertaken many CPD courses, including periodontal disease management.

Over the last few years, Nikema has worked in private and specialist practices. She enjoys all aspects of dentistry with a passion for minimally invasive treatments. She uses the latest technology to provide a pleasant pain-free experience for patients.

Equally, a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere in surgery is important to Nikema. She always endeavours to make her patients feel at ease with her gentle approach. It’s no surprise why Nikema sought to work alongside Colin and James at Thorpe Lea Dental.

Nikema enjoys listening to podcasts and reading during her commute to work. Her wellbeing is a priority for her, so she can often be found at a gym class or trying to eat something healthy. Her favourite quote is, “Consistency is key. 

Sarah became part of the Thorpe Lea Dental team in 2009, bringing a blend of administrative skills and dental nursing experience going back to 1998!  

Although Sarah had always known that she had a passion for teeth, she initially pursued a career in administration after working at another dental practice for a few years. However, when she saw a dental nurse vacancy at Thorpe Lea, she jumped at the opportunity and was impressed by the practice’s state-of-the-art equipment. Her enthusiasm for learning about teeth led Colin to welcome her to the team and support her in gaining her qualification in 2010.

Since then, Sarah has taken on various roles at the practice, including Data Protection officer, leveraging her strong administrative background to transition into Practice Management. She is responsible for ensuring the practice is compliant and upholds its quality commitment, and enjoys the diverse responsibilities of her role, which can range from assisting the dentist in surgery to managing day-to-day operations. Sarah remains passionate about teeth and enjoys seeing the difference a smile transformation can make for our patients. 

In 2019, Laura joined Thorpe Lea Dental with no prior experience in the dental field. She had always been interested in the medical industry, but had yet to pursue it. After relocating to Surrey from Wales, she saw the perfect opportunity to start her journey in the dental profession. Laura quickly bonded with the team, infecting them with her warm and bubbly personality. Her composed and collected demeanour allows her to effortlessly handle multiple tasks while managing the front desk, including prioritising patients, answering calls, and responding to emails, all while keeping the dentists on schedule. When COVID hit, Laura adapted to the new way of working and soon started transitioning to dental nursing. She has recently passed her dental nurse exam and is now a fully qualified dental nurse! Laura enjoys working in both reception and the surgery, observing various surgical procedures, including implants. 

Say hello to Ellie, our dental nurse extraordinaire! Five years ago, Ellie wouldn’t have imagined that she’d become a qualified implant and dental nurse. But life is full of surprises, and Ellie joined our team at the start of 2018, eager for a fresh new challenge. Before venturing into the world of dentistry, Ellie worked in childcare at a local nursery. But when a position opened up on our reception front desk, Ellie thought, “Why not?” She quickly learned the ropes and everything there was to know about the front desk. But the practical hands-on side of working at Thorpe Lea intrigued her, and within less than a year, Ellie wanted to find out what it was like working in the dental surgery. With half of her working week spent in surgery and the other half on reception, Ellie discovered her true passion lay in the clinical environment.

In early 2020, she passed her dental nurse exam with flying colours, and she has become a pro at balancing clinical, hands-on work with her patient-facing role. You’ll often see Ellie on the phone, explaining treatment options to our patients, scheduling appointments, and managing the appointment diary. Having gained a wealth of dental knowledge from working in the dental surgery, Ellie is now super-equipped to help support our patients with decisions about their dental care. She loves a challenge and thrives on those busy days where she’s rarely at her desk. Instead, you might catch her in the surgery, assisting the dentist, or helping out on reception. She’s always willing to go the extra mile and is never one to shy away from a challenge. 

Pasang started working with us at the end of 2016, joining us with no dental experience. Pasang enjoyed her work with a local care home, supporting the needs of her clients, but really felt a longing to gain a recognised qualification as a health care professional and had always thought looking in people’s mouths all day would be really interesting! So, she applied for the vacancy at Thorpe Lea Dental and was chuffed to bits when she was offered the position! With the support of the rest of the team, Pasang has moved from strength to strength.  

She gained her dental nurse qualification in 2018, and later qualified as an implant nurse, assisting Colin. She then decided she needed to do more, and most recently sat the BDA exam in radiography and passed! Not only is Pasang a super-dental nurse, she also works on reception, answering the telephone, and is our infection control lead, having achieved the level 2 certificate in Infection Prevention & Control in 2021. Part of her role is overseeing the decontamination safety checks that we perform daily, ensuring we are compliant in these areas. Pasang enjoys all aspects of her role, but her passion remains with helping people, and she thrives working alongside our dentists and supporting our patients in the dental surgery. 

Deena joined Thorpe Lea Dental in January 2025. She was eager to pursue a career in dental nursing after discovering her passion for the field during her own dental treatment for a tooth infection. Experiencing dentistry as a patient sparked her fascination, and after researching the role extensively, she realised dental nursing was the perfect fit for her aspirations.

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With a Distinction in her A-level Health and Social Care course, she brings with her a strong academic foundation and a genuine enthusiasm for patient care. A naturally compassionate and approachable individual, she thrives on building connections with patients and helping them feel at ease.

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She is excited to contribute to the transformation of patients’ smiles, recognising how essential a smile is to self-esteem and confidence. Whether assisting in surgery or supporting patients on their journey to better oral health, she is committed to making a positive difference every day