Meet The Team

Dr Ryan Hughes

BDS, BSc, MBChB, MSc (Dental Implantology), MSc (Oral Surgery), FFDRCS(I), FDSRCS(Eng), FCGDent.

Ryan is the lead dentist at Priory Dental has the benefit of being qualified in both Dentistry and Medicine as well as having masters degrees in Dental Implantology and Oral Surgery (both gained with distinction). He holds the prestigious Fellowship of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Oral Surgery with Oral Medicine and has fellowship status at both the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) and the College of General Dentistry (CGDent). He also has a first class bachelors degree in science (cellular and molecular medicine) from The University of Bristol. He enjoys all aspects of dentistry and can draw on considerable experience and knowledge in the care of his patients. He has a particular interest in Oral Surgery and Implant Dentistry and offers these services to our patients and those referred to us from other dentists. He previously spent many years working within the hospital environment in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery during which time he would undertake surgery for the removal of wisdom teeth and for injury to the face and jaws.  In his spare time he enjoys running, cycling, hill walking and generally exploring!

GDC Number: 85731

Dr Ewan Davidson

BDS, DPDS

Ewan qualified from Cardiff Dental School in 1985. He practiced for many years in Weston Super Mare followed by 20 years running and expanding his own practice in Bristol.  After a short stint in Glastonbury, Ewan has now moved to work with us at Priory Dental.

He enjoys all aspects of dentistry and takes particular pride in keeping up to date with the latest cutting-edge treatments. As well as general family dentistry, he has considerable expertise in cosmetic dentistry, tooth restoration, whitening and advanced root canal treatments.

Ewan comes with many years of experience placing implants having first become involved in implant dentistry in 1991. He has undertaken training in both Switzerland and Italy and has a successful caseload of more than 200. Ewan is therefore a further part of the implant team at the practice alongside both Ryan Hughes and Helena Morrell.

Ewan has lived locally to Wells since 1997, is married with 2 sons and has a passion for music and sports.  

GDC Number: 60245

Dr Christopher Burt

BDS, MFDS(Glas), MSc (Dental Implantology). 

Chris Burt is the talented musician of the practice. Chris plays the Piano, Organ and Oboe having been the Organ scholar while studying at the University of Bristol. He is currently with us part time while also working as a Clinical Lecturer, teaching the next generation of dental students at the Dental Hospital in Bristol. Chris has recently completed his masters degree in Dental Implantology and is currently working with Dr Hughes in preparing patients for dental implant treatments as well as seeing a range of new and existing patients at the practice. Chris has been an Invisalign Go provider for many years now and uses this alongside composite bonding and minimally invasive dentistry to transform smiles. Chris has a calm and relaxing manner and enjoys working with nervous patients to make them feel at ease with the dental setting. Chris lives with his wife (also working at the Dental Hospital as a Registrar in paediatric dentistry) in the Chew Valley where they both enjoy the rural lifestyle of the area with their lively Springer Spaniel, Winnie.

GDC Number: 271122

Dr Bryn Thompson

BDS, MFDS(Eng)

Bryn is a very experienced dentist having been a Dental Practitioner for over twenty years. He initially trained, lived and worked in London before moving to Somerset with his wife and three children six years ago. After a period in the south of the county he then joined Priory Dental where we are very lucky to have him as part of the team.  He is the third generation of dentists in his family and as a result has considerable interest and knowledge in the history of profession. He has a particular interest in prosthodontics, providing patients with advanced skills in the design and provision of partial and full dentures. Outside of work he enjoys classical music, walking, cycling and watching both cricket and rugby.

GDC Number: 81202

Dr Katie Moore

BDS

Katie originates from Northern Ireland and studied dentistry at the prestigious Queens University in Belfast. Following her studies, Katie moved to Bristol to live and work. She now commutes down to Wells three days per week and works in Bristol on the other days. Katie particularly enjoys creating a friendly and comforting environment for patients, particularly those who are anxious about receiving dental treatment. In her spare time Katie enjoys combining her love of animals and the outdoors with lots of dog walking and hiking.

GDC Number: 296557

Uma Ananthakirushnan

Dental Therapist

Uma has a wonderful warm and caring nature and has had lots of compliments from our patients.  Uma originally qualified in dentistry in Sri Lanka and has been practicing as a Dental Therapist since coming to the UK with her husband and young son.  As such she is able to undertake both dental hygiene and a range of other dental treatments for our patients. She has a particular interest in managing those with singificant periodontal (gum) problems.  Uma currently works on Mondays and Wednesdays.

GDC Number: 307993

Irena Hawken

Dental Hygienist

Irena has worked extensively within dentistry having originally qualified as a Dental Nurse and worked across the south west of England including a period working for the MOD. She then re-trained as a Dental Hygienist and has since joined Priory Dental on Tuesdays. Like her colleagues, we have had lots of very positive feedback from her patients.

GDC Number: 253174

Sheila Burr

Lead Dental Nurse

Shelia joined us in 2021 and brings considerable senior nursing experience to the team. She is now our Lead Dental nurse and oversees the team of nursing staff at the practice.  She works particularly closely with Bryn Thompson.

GDC Number: 187403

Esther De Pont

Dental Nurse

Esther worked for many years as a dental nurse in orthodontic practice before joining us. She enjoys the variety of working in a general practice and has become a great addition to the team. She now works primarily with Dr Katie Moore on Thursdays and Fridays.

GDC Number: 249715

Emily Frey

Dental Nurse

Emily originally trained in Dental Nursing while serving with the Royal Air Force.  Having returned to civilian life, married and had two children, Emily then worked at a number of dental practices across Somerset.  In 2023 she joined Priory Dental full time and works with both Ewan and Ryan.  Emily enjoys assisting with the more complex dental treatments we offer including all of our dental implant work.

GDC Number: 206522

Charlotte Collins

Dental Nurse

Charlie is coming to the end of her Dental nurse training and is shortly to register with the General Dental Council. She managed to complete her studies as quickly as is possible which is a real testament to her hard work and commitment. She is hoping to add to her qualifications by undertaking training as an Oral Health Practitioner over the coming years.

GDC Number: 314973

Kelsey Simmons

Trainee Dental Nurse

Kelsey joined us in 2022 and is already an invaluable part of the team. She is currently undertaking her dental nursing training while juggling a busy family life. She always works with a smile and we are lucky to have had her join us.

GDC Number: N/A

Rachel Cloonan

Trainee Dental Nurse

Rachel is our most recent addition to the team and her first role in dentistry.  Rachel grew up locally and was working in retail before deciding to join the team. She has impressed us with her enthusiasm and dedication and we are confident she will excel both in the practice and the wider profession.

GDC Number: N/A

Lisa Binning

Practice Manager and Dental Nurse

Lisa has worked at the practice for over 15 years having joined the practice when she left school. She progressed to being our lead nurse and then Practice Manager and is now heavily involved in running and organising the practice (in fact she’s the boss).  She is an absolute joy to work with and we would be lost without her!

GDC Number: 184929

Hannah Butler

Assistant Practice Manager, Treatment Coordinator and Dental Nurse

Hannah grew up in and around Wells and has worked for a number of local businesses. She trained in Dental nursing at another local practice but then spent a period of time in Melborne, Australia where she worked as a Dental Practice Manager. Since returning to the UK she spent a period of time away from clinical dentistry, working in Marketing and in a role at the restaurant 'Root' on Sadler Street before having her first child. She has now returned to Priory Dental to a role which includes Dental Nursing for Ryan and coordinating his Dental Implant work but also working closely with Lisa on the compliance aspects of the practice.

GDC Number: 249072

Nicole Eivers

Receptionist

Nicole is originally from the Republic of Ireland and moved to the local area with her Husband after spending a period working in Guernsey.  Nic has integrated into the team seemlessly and is exceptionally good organising our diaries while giving all our patients a very warm welcome at reception. 

Jennie Masters

Receptionist

Jennie previously worked at a local Medical practice as a care coordinator and brought these skills to her current role at Priory Dental. Jennie also spent a long period as a teaching assistant at both Stoberry and Wells Cathedral School and is well known in the community and amongst our patients.

Levi Holt

Receptionist

Levi joined us having had a varied career in retail and customer facing roles. She has terrific attention to detail and organisational skills and has become a great asset to the team.