Our Team
Meet the team at St Helens Dental
Peter Sands
MSc.* (Distinction) BDS LDS RCS (Eng) MFGDP(UK)
Dentist
Peter qualified from Kings College Hospital in 1983, and then worked full time in hospital dentistry and oral surgery for 2 years after which he entered general practice, although for the next three years he still maintained his keen interest in oral surgery, working part time at The Kent and Sussex Hospital in Bromley and The Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.
In 1988 Peter moved to Oxfordshire and became the principal dentist and owner of Saint Helens Practice, where he remains. Having always maintained a strong interest in post graduate education, he formalised his post graduate training by embarking on a part time Masters degree (M.Sc.) in Advanced General Dental Practice in 2004. In 2010 he was awarded his Masters in Advanced General Dental Practice from the University of Birmingham with distinction, also being awarded the prize for the best overall student. This Masters degree provides general dental practitioners with advanced accredited training in all aspects of general practice, including endodontics (root treatment), surgical dentistry, periodontology (gum disease), fixed and removable prosthodontics (dentures and crown and bridgework), the treatment of tooth wear, aesthetic dentistry, and implant dentistry. Such training bolstered and reinforced over 25 years within the profession and enables Peter to offer very comprehensive care and treatment in most aspects of dentistry. Subsequent to his Postgraduate success he spent two years, part time, teaching final year dental students at the School of Dentistry at Birmingham University. Peter has stopped his undergraduate teaching but now holds the post of part time clinical lecturer and examiner on the Masters course in Advanced General Dental Practice at Birmingham University School of Dentistry
Research in dentistry is essential to progress and whilst studying for his Masters, Peter was asked to become a member of a group of general practitioners who undertake research in general practice, the PREP Panel. The PREP panel has close associations to Birmingham University and undertakes ethically approved research into, amongst other things, dental materials, their handling and longevity. We have been involved in a number of clinical research projects and numerous product evaluations and Peter is about to embark on a trial of a novel type of crown. Peter is a member of an Oxfordshire study group and has regularly contributed to several dental magazines and journals. He is also the co-author of a number of academic clinical papers.
Fiona Sands
DipDT, DipDH RCS (Eng)
Dental Hygienist/Therapist
Fiona qualified as a registered general nurse in 1990 from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and spent several years working in operating theatres both in Aberdeen and Oxford. She left nursing to pursue a career in the commercial healthcare sector and held the post of training manager for a company that supplied theatre products. In Latter years she worked as an implementation consultant for a medical software company.
In 2003 Fiona embarked upon a complete change of career and qualified in 2005 as a Dental Therapist/Hygienist from the Eastman Dental Hospital, London. Fiona worked in both Oxford and Aylesbury community dental services where she cared for children and vulnerable adults and was one of the first therapists in the country to complete the inhalation sedation course for therapists and used this skill to treat children with a fear of dentistry.
Now solely working at the practice both in a clinical and administration role, Fiona uses her knowledge and expertise in both healthcare and commercial settings to deliver great patient care in all aspects of the patient journey.
In her spare time.....
Fiona is a qualified massage therapist and has recently added deep tissue and cancer massage to her holistic and remedial qualification. Greatest achievements include cycling from London to Paris (twice) to raise money for the Royal British Legion twice and running the London Marathon…apparently never again!
GDC 101300
Dental Nurse
Alexis Nascimento
Hello! My name is Alexis but everyone calls me Lexi. I was born and raised in New Jersey by my very Portuguese family. I spent most of my summers in Portugal and moved to England in 2014. I became a qualified dental nurse in 2017 and adore what I do.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my fiance and friends, video chatting with my family, doing yoga and being a cat mommy to my little cat, Maverick.
Michaela Long
Receptionist
Michaela joined us in 2018 and is likely to be the first person you talk to when you call the practice.She has lots of experience working in the dental environment and sometimes helps out in our decontamination room as well. Michaela has 2 dogs which occupy most of her spare time!
