2015 is coming to a close – it has been a very busy year at The Grove! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2016. We have been reminiscing over 2015 and decided to share the best bits with you…..
Our team growth and development:
Ben Forward and Ronan O’Neill
After saying farewell to James Lee earlier this year, we welcomed 2 new dentists to The Grove team: Ronan and Ben, who have settled in and have had good comments when treating nervous and younger patients . In addition Capri joined the team in October, Capri has many years of dental nursing experience, and now works at both practices. We have also added to our team of hygienists, Rachel Scallan now works at the Nelson practice on a Monday, providing specialist hygiene treatment and advice.
Rachel Thomas
While expanding the team we have retained our long standing, familiar team members – Rachel celebrated 20 years at the practice this June. She joined the practice in 1995 and shortly afterwards qualified as a dental nurse. Rachel now works at reception where our patients at Ystrad Mynach benefit from her friendly, helpful manner as well as her specialist advice which has come from years clinical training and experience. Congratulations Rachel.
We welcomed our senior nurse Kirsty back early this year, who had been away from the practice following a period of ill health.
We are delighted that she has recovered and is back at work – we missed you Kirsty!
The top achievements of the year:
James and Clare O’Shea
James and Clare both completed a postgraduate qualification in Aesthetic Cosmetic Dentistry, involving research into the most up to date dental materials and their application, as well as studying tooth movements (orthodontics) and its use in providing a straighter whiter smile.
Stephen Lesser
We went to see Mr Lesser who returned to the stage in Newport, many of you already know he is an accomplished vocalist. We look forward to seeing him perform again in 2016!
Our Patient Surveys:
Your views are vitally important to us, which us why we aim to carry out patient surveys at least twice a year. This year our practices averaged:
- 96% Excellent/Good for overall patient experience
- 92 % Excellent/Good for treatment and process explanation
- 96% Excellent/Good for our support staff
We are delighted with your feedback and kind comments, and have been looking at your suggestions for ways to further improve the services we provide. Many thanks to all who participated.
Charitable work:
In June Clare completed the ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ – climbing Snowdon at 4am, followed by Cadair Idris and finishing at Penyfan by 9pm! Many thanks to everyone who sponsored her for Ty Hafan.
The Future:
James and Clare are running the London Marathon in April 2016, fundraising for ”Joint Action” – a charity who conduct research into musculoskeletal disease including arthritis and muscular dystrophy. Their main research is into joint and hip replacements and healing traumatic injuries following, for example, traffic accidents. Watch this space for the link to sponsor them online, or sponsorship can be made at the practice.