Alpha Dental Studio Chester le Street

BDS MFGDP (GDC registration:103299) David was born in Bishop Auckland and was raised in Barnard Castle and Darlington, attending Yarm School from the age of 8. David graduated from the University of Newcastle on 2006 with Distinction in Clinical Dentistry and returned to the region post – graduation. He currently lives in Darlington with his wife, son and daughter. David worked in The Dental Centre Group for three years with Ben, Guy and Ian gaining experience with high need patients helping to stabilise declining oral condition and returning patients to a high standard of dental health before moving on to becoming a founding member of Alpha Dental Group in 2008 with the opening of the first Alpha site in Catterick. Further studies have meant that David was awarded Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (MFGDP 2008) and has since gone on to complete UCLAN Teaching and learning in Dental Practice with Merit. Clinically, David enjoys restorative dentistry; in particular the cosmetic aspects of smile design and how to improve smile aesthetics. This has been aided by completion of a one-year restorative dentistry course at the Academy of Clinical Excellence.

BDS MFGDP (GDC registration: 85829) Neeraj Diddee is a dental professional who was born and brought up in Durham and has recently resided to Newcastle. He graduated from Newcastle University in 2005 and has since been keen and motivated to deliver the highest quality of dental care as well as further developing his career. Since graduating, Neeraj has worked in the North East providing both NHS and Private dental care. He has continued to develop his professional training by gaining his postgraduate dental diploma in 2007, allowing membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practice. In 2008 he became a member of the Northern Division of the Faculty of General Dental Practice and was elected as the Secretary in 2009. He has also undertaken many varied courses including a yearlong course in Advanced Restorative dentistry which he has a keen interest to develop and apply when treating his patients. Neeraj joined the Alpha Dental Group in 2009 and is acting as the Lead Dentist in Fairfield (Stockton). He is enjoying the challenges of managing the practice and thriving to further develop his skills.

BDS MFGDP (GDC registration: 58968) Ian graduated from Newcastle University in 1984 – before some of his partners went to primary school…! He grew up in Stokesley and went to the Friends’ School in Great Ayton – and now has practices in both places with Vitality Complete Dental Care in Stokesley and Alpha Dental Studio in Great Ayton – something, which was an ambition once he had decided to study dentistry. Ian is married to wife Jayne who is also a dentist and has three children. On qualifying, Ian returned to the area working in Guisborough and Acklam before buying his first practice in Eaglescliffe in 1989. He soon became involved in Vocational Training for new dental graduates and was a trainer for 13 times before becoming a Vocational Training Adviser in the region, a post he still holds. Ian went on to establish a further five practices in Guisborough and Middlesbrough forming The Dental Centre Group in 2000. A corporate chain acquired the Dental Centre Group in 2007 and in October 2008 Ian together with David Birkin took over an established practice in Catterick Garrison launching the first Alpha Dental Studio. Ian has always been involved in the politics of dentistry via involvement with local dental committees (LDC) nationally and locally. He was chair of Tees LDC for several years and is currently Vice Chair of North Yorkshire LDC. In 2006 he co-founded the dental pressure group Challenge to campaign for a better NHS contract for dentists and patients. Ian describes himself as an all rounder clinically and has undertaken additional training in many areas including Orthodontics (braces) endodontics (root fillings) and cosmetic dentistry (crowns and veneers) as well as keeping generally up to date via over 100 hours of postgraduate training a year. Currently he divides his working life between Alpha Dental Studio and Vitality, working for the Northern Deanery, representing the LDC and as a local adviser to one of the dental protection societies helping dentists with difficulties.