Meet the team

Dr Helen Griffiths

Specialist Orthodontist

FDS(Orth) Royal College of Surgeons Of England 2002, MOrth Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 1999, MOrth Royal College of Surgeons Of England 1999, MSc Lond 1999, FDS Royal College of Surgeons Of England 1995, BDS Lond 1991.

Hi, I’m Dr Helen Griffiths, and I grew up in the London area and studied dentistry at Guy’s Hospital. I started my postgraduate training in 1996 in Norwich and King’s Lynn and undertook an MSc at Guy’s Hospital. I then went on to complete my Consultant training in Bristol and Bath in 2002.

I was appointed as a Consultant in Epping and the Royal London Hospital in 2003 and then subsequently moved to Taunton in 2006 to take up a Consultant post at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital. There, I treated NHS patients who required surgery to their jaws, patients with congenitally missing teeth and those that required surgery to their teeth. I left that post in April of 2021 to dedicate my time to Confident Orthodontics.

Dr Andy Armstrong

Dentist

Andy is passionate about dentistry. He constantly strives to provide the best care and treatment for his patients. Andy’s main areas of interest are aesthetic dentistry and implant dentistry. He is highly skilled at managing nervous patients.

Andy started his dental career at the Royal London Hospital where he achieved outstanding results with distinctions in Oral Surgery and Restorative Dentistry. After leaving Dental school Andy was awarded a place as a house officer in the prestigious Royal London Hospital MaxilloFacial Department, where he was quickly promoted to senior house officer.

Andy finally left the hospital service in 2011 and started working at a local dental practice, this is where he developed his skills and established a thriving referral service. As well as continuing this work he also decided to come and join with us at Confident from the beginning of 2023. Andy continues to stay at the cutting edge of implant and aesthetic dentistry. Andy has undergone extensive training by some of the world leaders in Implant dentists and is firmly committed to education.

Andy is fully trained in all areas of implant dentistry including bone and gum grafting, and sinus lift surgery.

Andy accepts referrals from Local Somerset Dentists for Implants and oral surgery.

Andy is committed to the importance of multidisciplinary approach when it comes to managing his patients needs and regularly meets with colleagues within the practice to discuss and plan treatments, ensuring that each patient gets the best care.

Andy became a member of The International Team of Implantology in 2014 and The Society for Advanced Anaesthesia and Sedation in 2011.

Karen Bellis

Dental Hygienist and Therapist

Karen has worked in dentistry for over 25 years, qualifying from Bristol university in 2009 as a Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist.

She has experience of working in NHS, private and community dentistry and, as an Oral Health Educator has won a gold NHS award.

Karen has published a Mencap fact sheet for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PLMD) and their oral health, which has been adapted by other healthcare trusts. Karen particularly enjoys treating dental phobic patients and whether you are registered with a dentist or not, you can come in for a dental hygiene appointment.
In her spare time Karen enjoys spending time with her family, including 2 dogs and 5 runner ducks and is a keen gardener and photographer.

Cassie Haste

Orthodontic Therapist

Hi, I’m Cassie, and I started my career in Dentistry in 2008 and qualified as a dental nurse in 2010. Shortly after, I was transferred into orthodontics and began my orthodontic nursing training.

During this time, I realised my passion for orthodontics and went on to qualify as an orthodontic therapist in 2013. I Joined Helen and the Confident team in 2021, and really enjoy meeting new patients and working with the variety of braces that Helen provides to meet each of her patients needs.

On the weekends you will find me enjoying walks with my partner and dog Humphrey - our favourite walks being along the coast.

Abi James

Orthodontic Therapist

Hi, I’m Abi. I started working as an apprentice dental nurse in 2012 and qualified in 2013. Following this, I moved to become a full-time orthodontic dental nurse - completing my oral health educator postgraduate course in 2015 and radiography postgraduate course in 2016.

During my experience my enthusiasm for orthodontics grew, and I wished to further my career into orthodontic therapy - qualifying in 2021.

I love getting to know all the patients that I treat and enjoy watching patients’ teeth transform from beginning to end. The team at Confident is super friendly, and patients are treated with the highest level of care, which makes it such an enjoyable place to work.

Palvi Vadher

Orthodontic Therapist

Courtney Bellis

Orthodontic Therapist

Hi, I’m Courtney, and I joined the Confident team in 2020 as a Dental Nurse, where I then went on to complete my Orthodontic Nursing and Radiography. I started my course as a Student Orthodontic Therapist training at Bristol university in January 2023 which I am thoroughly enjoying.

My favourite part of the job is getting to know my patients and helping with their amazing transformations.

In my spare time I enjoy cooking, gardening and walks in the woods with my family and dog Dusty.

Lizzie Sansom

Practice Manager

Hi, I’m Lizzie, and I have worked in dentistry for over 12 years. I started out as a Dental Nurse before working up to Management.

What I love about Management is making sure we are setting a high standard for all our patients and making sure they have the best experience when visiting us. I love working at Confident as I get to work with an incredible team and follow all our wonderful patients through their journeys to achieving their great smiles.

In my spare time I love running and often take part in our local Parkrun. I can usually be found in Cornwall most weekends - camping and swimming in the sea with my partner and our dog Charlie.

Jade Verrier-Buxton

Senior Dental nurse

Jade qualified as a dental nurse in 2018 and has gained experience working in a variety of both NHS and private practices before moving to a specialist orthodontic practice in 2020. She gained her orthodontic nursing post-qualification in August 2021 and was promoted to head orthodontic nurse later that year.

Jade joined the Confident team in November 2023 as lead nurse and decontamination lead, supporting both our clinical and nursing team.

Jade is passionate about all aspects of orthodontics but loves witnessing every patient's journey to the perfect smile.

Outside of work, Jade is an avid reader, enjoys walking, trips to the beach and spending quality time with her family.

Karen Dawe

Dental Nurse

Hi, I’m Karen. I have worked at Confident Orthodontics since September 2019, but have been working as a Dental Nurse for 25 years, qualifying with the NEBDN in 1998.

I love all aspects of orthodontics and am enjoying the challenge of learning new areas within the Dental field. I am especially excited to be starting my Dental Radiography course. Patient satisfaction is hugely important to me, as is helping anxious patients feel at ease.

Outside of work, I am kept busy with my two young boys and husband. I love spending quality time with my family, be it taking on new adventures or settling in front of the television with a good family film and popcorn.

Tracy Cridland

Dental Nurse

Hi, I’m Tracy, and I have been a Dental Nurse for over 20 years. Orthodontics is new to me, but I am really enjoying meeting patients to straighten their teeth and improve their smiles instead of seeing patients in pain.

I am a keen cook and kayaker and enjoy spending time with my children and Bertie the Collie-Husky cross.

Summer Sturmey

Dental Nurse

Tanisha

Dental Nurse

Hi, I’m Tanisha. I qualified as a Dental Nurse in 2021 in a busy NHS practice. I then moved to a private practice and gained more specialist skills in cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery and implants. I gained my NEBDN post-registration qualification in Sedation in 2023. I enjoy putting anxious patients at ease and helping them to overcome their fear of the dentist.

I recently joined Confident Orthodontics in 2024 for a new challenge and I am excited to learn all about this new area of dentistry. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, watching cricket in the summer and playing Netball all season round.

Zeta Thorne

Treatment Co-ordinator

Hi, I’m Zeta, and I was actually patient here at Confident before I became part of the team! I loved coming to my appointments and talking with the team. They always made me feel welcome and at ease - so when a job came up, I thought why not apply?

I have enjoyed my journey so far and one of my favourite parts is meeting new patients who are going through the same journey as I did.

In my spare time I love going to the gym, travelling and eating.

Wendy Russell

Front of House Receptionist

Hi, I’m Wendy, and I have been a practice receptionist at Confident Orthodontics for the last 3 years. Prior to this, I was a receptionist at the Maxillofacial and Orthodontic department at Musgrove Park Hospital.

In my spare time I can usually be found spending time with my grandchildren, cake decorating or enjoying a good walk.

Chelsea Hards

Front of House Receptionist

I am a fully qualified beauty therapist and have been for 10+ years but I have missed being part of a team. I joined Confident in January 2022 and love it here, everyone is so genuine and lovely and I thoroughly enjoy being part of the patient journey. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends and going on nice holidays with a cocktail in my hand.

Rosie Armstrong

Front of House Receptionist