The people behind your smile

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 dedication to ongoing learning has made him proficient in a variety of specialised services, including dental implants, clear aligners, 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.

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.

Jaweria (Jay) recently joined our practice as a dental hygienist. She is a qualified overseas dentist, having graduated in 2005, and went on to practise as a dentist for several years. To further develop her skills, Jaweria completed four years of postgraduate training in Prosthodontics between 2008 and 2012. Jaweria has successfully passed Part 1 of the ORE exam and is currently working towards Part 2. In the meantime, she is providing hygienist services and is passionate about helping patients understand the importance of preventing oral disease and maintaining excellent oral hygiene. She has a particular interest in the link between systemic health and oral health, and enjoys supporting patients in improving their overall wellbeing through tailored preventative care.

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.

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.

Asha began her dental nursing career as a trainee in 2017 and has enjoyed building her knowledge and experience in general dentistry over the years. She quickly discovered that dental nursing was a role she really enjoyed, particularly the opportunity to work closely with patients and help them feel comfortable and supported throughout their dental visits.

Asha has a naturally caring and approachable manner and understands that, for some patients, coming to the dentist can be a daunting experience. She takes the time to reassure patients and help put them at ease, always aiming to make their experience as positive and comfortable as possible.

Asha enjoys being part of a team and working closely alongside the dentist to provide a high standard of care. She is keen to continue learning and developing her skills and is looking forward to growing within her role at Thorpe Lea Dental.

Outside of work, Asha loves travelling and exploring new places. She is also a big animal lover and has two cats, who bring lots of joy to her life.

Say hello to Ganga (pronounced Gun-ga), who joined the Thorpe Lea Dental team at the start of 2025. Before stepping into the world of dentistry, Ganga built her career in Hotel Management and Travel & Tourism, where she mastered the art of looking after people, a skill that now makes her a natural in patient care. Curious for a new challenge, she began her dental nurse journey at a specialist endodontic practice, gaining experience in both complex root canal treatments and general dentistry. After a short career break, the pull of dental nursing drew her back in, and we were thrilled when she chose to continue her journey with us.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Ganga is her calm, relaxed presence, even on the busiest of days. She has a gentle, professional manner and takes her role seriously, always putting patient comfort first. Whether she’s supporting patients through treatment or keeping things running smoothly in surgery, Ganga brings a steady, reassuring energy to the team. She’s already got her sights set on further training, including dental implants, and we know she’ll excel in whatever she takes on next.

And a fun fact? Ganga has trekked all the way to Mount Everest base camp and she’s determined to tackle the full climb one day! With her dedication and quiet determination, we have no doubt she’ll get there.