About Us
Here at the Grove dental Practice we are a friendly, experienced team who believe in promoting prevention of dental disease and caring for you and your family. Many of us have worked together as a team in excess of 10 years and this enables us to provide comprehensive high quality dentistry in a relaxed, clean and safe environment. We provide our dental services from 2 well equipped modern dental practices with great transport links with the South Wales valleys and Cardiff. The practices have undergone many changes recently and our focus is to continue this development and offer a larger range of services for our patients.
Clare O’Shea (nee Jones) BDS UWCM- Practice Principal
Originally from Anglesey and after graduating in 2000 from Cardiff Dental School, Clare completed her vocational training in Llanelli before becoming an Associate dentist in Newport. She joined The Grove dental Practice Nelson in 2006 and became joint principal in 2012.
Clare enjoys all aspects of general practice and also enjoys postgraduate training where she recently became a registered Inman aligner Provider and is looking forward to completing a diploma in Restorative Dentistry in 2015. She is experienced in treating patients of all ages especially children and anxious patients. She currently works 4 days a week in our Nelson practice and offers evening appointments to our Grove Practice Plan and private patients.
Her hobbies include open water swimming, snowboarding and hill walking around Wales with her 2 young daughters.
GDC No: 77566
Hours
| Monday | 0900-1830 | Nelson |
| Tuesday | 0830-1500 | Nelson |
| Wednesday | 0800-1400 | Nelson |
| Thursday | 0900-1630 | Nelson |
James O’Shea BDS UWCM- Practice Principal
James moved from Cork to Cardiff in 1994 where he qualified as a dentist in 2000. He completed Vocational training in Bude and remained as an associate to develop his dental and surfing skills. James returned to South Wales in 2002 where he worked as a diligent associate for Stephen Lesser before taking over the practice in 2012 with his wife, Clare.
James has always enjoyed general practice and treating patients of all ages. He has a calm approach to treating children and anxious patients. He has a keen interest in endodontics and aesthetic dentistry. He is also a registered 6 month smiles orthodontic provider. He currently works 4 days a week in our Ystrad Mynach Practice and 1 day in Nelson.
Having recently retired from playing football, he now has more time to spend with his 2 young daughters……and therefore has taken up long distance running!!
GDC No: 77526
Hours
| Monday | 0900-1600 | Ystrad Mynach |
| Tuesday | 0930-1700 | Ystrad Mynach |
| Wednesday | 0800-1400 | Nelson |
| Thursday | 0900-1700 | Ystrad Mynach |
| Friday | 0900-1700 | Ystrad Mynach |
Stephen Lesser BDS UWCM- Dental Associate
Mr Lesser has been providing dental care in the area for over 30 years. In 2012 he passed the ownership of the practices over to Clare and James but still continues to offer his dental services 2 days a week from our Ystrad Mynach Practice. He has a wealth of experience and has an energetic approach when it comes to general dentistry and is used to treating patients of all ages.
Outside of dentistry, Mr Lesser enjoys both watching and performing theatre and music. He also attempts to play golf on a regular basis!
Hours
| Tuesday | 0900-1700 | Ystrad Mynach |
| Thursday | 0900-1700 | Ystrad Mynach |
Claire Lewis – Dental Hygienist
Clare was born locally and became a qualified hygienist from University of Wales in 2002. Claire joined the practice soon afterwards and provides care in both Nelson and Ystrad Mynach. She is passionate about improving oral health and treating periodontal disease. Claire also has a wide range of interests, including mountain walking, travel and music.
GDC No: 5996
Hours
| Monday | 0900-1830 | Nelson |
| Wedensday | 0800-1400 | Ystrad Mynach |
| Friday | 0900-1700 | Ystrad Mynach |
Nursing Team
Kate Flanagan
Oral Health Educator
Lisa Rosser
Senior Dental Nurse
Admin Team
Louise Liston – Practice Co-Ordinator
Louise has had a central role in the practice since 2006. She plays a critical role ensuring the smooth running of the practice, liaising between practices, clinicians and patients. As well as being GDC registered, Louise manages practice IT, handles complaints and develops our social media profile, whilst completing a degree in IT Management for Business.
Sharon Clarke – Receptionist (Nelson)
Sharon has been a welcoming face at the practice for many years. She is adept at co-ordinating patient’s treatment , answering concerns and can occasionally be seen nursing in surgery. Her role also includes communicating with dental companies to ensure we use the best materials.
Rachel Thomas – Reception (Ystrad Mynach)
Rachel is one of the longest serving members of staff and therefore has a comprehensive knowledge of the practice, patients and clinicians. She is also versatile, both as first point of contact at reception and as a skilled dental nurse.
Melanie Evans – Reception (Nelson)
Melanie first joined the Grove in 2005 and has been welcoming patients to the practice ever since. She handles all non clinical aspects of the practice but has a laugh that can settle the most nervous of patients!
We Value Your Opinion
We regularly carry out Patient Satisfaction Surveys so we can monitor our performance and make improvements where highlighted. We also have a system in place should you wish to make a complaint. We strive to deal with each complaint in a prompt and considerate manner. Please direct any concerns you have to our practice receptionist Melanie Evans or alternatively to practice principals Claire and James O’Shea.
New Patients
Our aim is to make you feel welcome and introduce you to our calm approach to patient care. Visiting a new dental practice can be a daunting experience. Many of our new patients are visiting after a long period of absence from dental treatment. We understand that obstacles such as anxiety, embarrassment and fear of criticism have prevented some from not having attended sooner. Our goal is to allay these concerns, identify areas of disease and develop a plan of action to restore ones mouth back to health.
Rights and Responsibilities of Patients
We would like to remind our patients that they are responsible for regular attendance. We endeavour to remind you when your check is due; however the responsibility for regular attendance lies solely with each patient. Lack of attendance, non payment of dental fees, violence or abusive behaviour will result in exclusion from the practice.
Emergencies
Whenever possible we will try to accommodate dental emergencies within working hours. Please contact the practice as early as possible if you require attention the same day. In the rare event of closure during normal working hours please call 07906 883430. For out of hours emergency please call 0845 602052.
Confidentiality
Strict confidentiality of patient records and information is maintained at all times. Patient records will not be passed to any third parties.
Further Information
NHS Direct Wales
Local Health Board
Complaints line: 01495 745656
Health Inspectorate Wales
Private Patients: 02920 92885
Aneurin Bevan Health Board
St. Cadocs Hospital, Lodge Road, Caerleon
Newport NP18 3XQ
01633 436700