We will be closed from Friday 23rd December and will re-open on Friday 3rd January with limited access to emails and telephone calls on Friday 27th and Monday 30th December. In an emergency please contact the Emergency Dental Practice in Central London on 0207 935 5559, but please be aware that there will be a charge for their services. We wish you and your families a safe and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Our staff
The members of the Origin Orthodontics team are here to help you achieve the best smile results possible. We work together to make your treatment efficient - and enjoyable - from start to finish.
Helen Thornton
Group Practice Manager
"At Origin Orthodontics, patients can achieve their dream smile. By making treatment affordable through payment plans, we can help make that dream become a reality."
Past Experience & Qualifications
I was awarded a BTEC certificate in Practice Management in 2014.
How long have you been at Origin Orthodontics?
I joined the company in 2001 working for the previous owner, Dr Stephen Hunter, initially as a receptionist, progressing over a number of years to become his medical secretary and accounts manager. The practice was bought by the current owner, Dr Usman Qureshi in 2013 and I have been working as the group Practice Manager since 2014.
What do you love about your job?
As Practice Manager of Origin Orthodontics, I oversee the daily running of both practices in Central London and Mill Hill, North London and manage their staff. I also speak with prospective patients over the telephone as well as greeting and welcoming them in person for their consultations. I work with our patients to develop their personalised finance plans in order to help to make their treatment affordable. It is my belief that at Origin Orthodontics we can help to make patients’ wishes of achieving their dream smile a reality.
What is one thing people may not know about you?
I previously worked for John Lewis Buying in their Head Offices in Victoria, Central London. Amongst other roles during my 12 years there, I was an Assistant Buyer for Hats (when hats were fashionable in the 80s/90s), and was fortunate to work with designers and milliners for The Queen and the Royal Family including the late Princess Diana.
Gergana Ivanova
Clinical Manager & Compliance Lead
GDC number: 206195
Past Experience & Qualifications
I qualified as a Dental Nurse with NEBDN in 2010 and was awarded the BDA in Radiography in 2012. I began my dental career as a Trainee Dental Nurse soon after qualifying in 2010 and have worked at several London practices progressing to Head Nurse in a private specialist practice before joining Origin Orthodontics.
How long have you been at Origin Orthodontics?
I joined Origin Orthodontics in 2015 as an Orthodontic Nurse and Receptionist at our practice in Mill Hill, North London. I have since had varied roles within the company, working as our Patient Treatment Coordinator, chair side assistant and stock controller. I am currently the Clinical Manager and Compliance Lead for the company.
What do you love about your job?
My role as Clinical Manager and Compliance Lead involves coordinating nursing staff with clinicians and their patients’ treatment needs, whilst maintaining the practice compliance and ensuring all clinical staff are up to date with new regulations as well as making sure the practice is constantly stocked with the necessary equipment. At reception, I help to plan and organise treatment for current patients and answers their telephone enquiries.
What is one thing people may not know about you?
I am fluent in Bulgarian and English. My enjoyment of regular Yoga ensures my calm, helpful manner. I am interested in baking healthy food and cooking for my family. If I get some free time, and weather allows it, I love planting flowers in my garden.
Ramona Santa
Orthodontic Nurse and Dental
Monitoring Lead
GDC number: 281936
Past Experience & Qualifications
I previously worked in my home country of Romania as a dental nurse for 7 years. I joined Origin Orthodontics in 2017 as a trainee Orthodontic Nurse and progressed to become a fully qualified Orthodontic Nurse awarded with a National Diploma in Dental Nursing (NEBDN). I have also gained a qualification in Dental Radiography whilst working at the practice. I enjoy working at both our practice locations in Mill Hill, North London and at our Central London clinic in Wimpole Street. In addition to my role as Orthodontic Nurse, I am also the practice Dental Monitoring Lead. My long term goal is to become an Orthodontic Therapist.
What do you love about your job?
I love helping patients to achieve great results and seeing them smile confidently at the end of their orthodontic journey. I also enjoy having the opportunity to work alongside and learn from a well-respected specialist orthodontist such as Dr Qureshi. As I cover both locations, I have the pleasure of meeting every single one of our patients and assisting in their treatment from start to finish.
What is one thing people may not know about you?
I can speak four different languages including Romanian, Hungarian, Italian and Spanish. I also have an identical twin sister!
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