28 Penallta Road, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7AN | T:01443 816160 / 01443 812559

3 Ashgrove Terrace, Nelson, Treharris, CF46 6LR | T:01443 451851

About Us

Here at the Grove dental Practice we are a friendly, experienced team who believe in promoting prevention of dental disease and caring for you and your family. Many of us have worked together as a team in excess of 10 years and this enables us to provide comprehensive high quality dentistry in a relaxed, clean and safe environment. We provide our dental services from 2 well equipped modern dental practices with great transport links with the South Wales valleys and Cardiff. The practices have undergone many changes recently and our focus is to continue this development and offer a larger range of services for our patients.

Clare O’Shea (nee Jones) BDS UWCM- Practice Principal
Originally from Anglesey and after graduating in 2000 from Cardiff Dental School, Clare completed her vocational training in Llanelli before becoming an Associate dentist in Newport. She joined The Grove dental Practice Nelson in 2006 and became joint principal in 2012.
Clare enjoys all aspects of general practice and also enjoys postgraduate training where she recently became a registered Inman aligner Provider and is looking forward to completing a diploma in Restorative Dentistry in 2015. She is experienced in treating patients of all ages especially children and anxious patients. She currently works 4 days a week in our Nelson practice and offers evening appointments to our Grove Practice Plan and private patients.
Her hobbies include open water swimming, snowboarding and hill walking around Wales with her 2 young daughters.

GDC No: 77566

Hours

Monday 9:00am-6:30pm Nelson
Tuesday 8:30am-3:00pm Nelson
Wednesday 8:00am-2:00pm Nelson
Thursday 9:00am-4:30pm Nelson

James O’Shea BDS UWCM- Practice Principal
James moved from Cork to Cardiff in 1994 where he qualified as a dentist in 2000. He completed Vocational training in Bude and remained as an associate to develop his dental and surfing skills. James returned to South Wales in 2002 where he worked as a diligent associate for Stephen Lesser before taking over the practice in 2012 with his wife, Clare.
James has always enjoyed general practice and treating patients of all ages. He has a calm approach to treating children and anxious patients. He has a keen interest in endodontics and aesthetic dentistry. He is also a registered Six Month Smiles orthodontic provider. He currently works 4 days a week in our Ystrad Mynach Practice and 1 day in Nelson.
Having recently retired from playing football, he now has more time to spend with his 2 young daughters……and therefore has taken up long distance running!!

GDC No: 77526

Hours

Monday 9:00am-4:00pm Ystrad Mynach
Tuesday 9:30am-5:00pm Ystrad Mynach
Wednesday 8:00am-2:00pm Nelson
Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Ystrad Mynach
Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Ystrad Mynach

Stephen Lesser BDS UWCM- Dental Associate
Mr Lesser has been providing dental care in the area for over 30 years. In 2012 he passed the ownership of the practices over to Clare and James but still continues to offer his dental services 2 days a week from our Ystrad Mynach Practice. He has a wealth of experience and has an energetic approach when it comes to general dentistry and is used to treating patients of all ages.
Outside of dentistry, Mr Lesser enjoys both watching and performing theatre and music. He also attempts to play golf on a regular basis!

Hours

Tuesday 9:00am-5:00pm Ystrad Mynach
Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Ystrad Mynach

Claire Lewis – Dental Hygienist
Clare was born locally and became a qualified hygienist from University of Wales in 2002. Claire joined the practice soon afterwards and provides care in both Nelson and Ystrad Mynach. She is passionate about improving oral health and treating periodontal disease. Claire also has a wide range of interests, including mountain walking, travel and music.

GDC No: 5996

Hours

Wednesday 8:00am-2:00pm Ystrad Mynach
Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Ystrad Mynach

Ronan O’Neil BDS NU Ire

GDC number – 194816

Hours

Monday 9:00am – 5:00pm Ystrad
Tuesday 9:00am – 5:00pm Nelson
Wednesday 8:00am – 2:00pm Ystrad
Thursday 9:00am – 5:00pm Nelson
Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Nelson

Benjamin Forward BDS University of Central Lancs

GDC number – 251129

Hours

Monday 9:00am – 5:00pm Ystrad
Tuesday 9:00am – 5:00pm Ystrad
Wednesday 8:00am – 2:00pm Ystrad
Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Ystrad

Nursing Team

kate

Kate Flanagan

Oral Health Educator

Lisa Rosser

Senior Dental Nurse

Nicole Griffiths

Dental Nurse

Lucy Morgan

Dental Nurse

Rachel Bates

Dental Nurse

Kirsty Thomas

Dental Nurse

Hayley Edwards

Dental Nurse

Admin Team

Louise Liston – Practice Co-Ordinator

Louise has had a central role in the practice since 2006. She plays a critical role ensuring the smooth running of the practice, liaising between practices, clinicians and patients. As well as being GDC registered, Louise manages practice IT, handles complaints and develops our social media profile, whilst completing a degree in IT Management for Business.

Sharon Clarke – Receptionist (Nelson)

Sharon has been a welcoming face at the practice for  many years. She is adept at co-ordinating patient’s treatment , answering concerns and can occasionally be seen nursing in surgery. Her role also includes communicating with dental companies to ensure we use the best materials.

Rachel Thomas – Reception (Ystrad Mynach)

Rachel is one of the longest serving members of staff and therefore has a comprehensive knowledge of the practice, patients and clinicians. She is also versatile, both as first point of contact at reception and as a skilled dental nurse.

Melanie Evans – Reception (Nelson)

Melanie first joined the Grove in 2005 and has been welcoming patients to the practice ever since. She handles all non clinical aspects of the practice but has a laugh that can settle the most nervous of patients!

We Value Your Opinion

We regularly carry out Patient Satisfaction Surveys so we can monitor our performance and make improvements where highlighted. We also have a system in place should you wish to make a complaint. We strive to deal with each complaint in a prompt and considerate manner. Please direct any concerns you have to our practice receptionist Melanie Evans or alternatively to practice principals Claire and James O’Shea.

New Patients

Our aim is to make you feel welcome and introduce you to our calm approach to patient care. Visiting a new dental practice can be a daunting experience. Many of our new patients are visiting after a long period of absence from dental treatment. We understand that obstacles such as anxiety, embarrassment and fear of criticism have prevented some from not having attended sooner. Our goal is to allay these concerns, identify areas of disease and develop a plan of action to restore ones mouth back to health.

Rights and Responsibilities of Patients

We would like to remind our patients that they are responsible for regular attendance. We endeavour to remind you when your check is due; however the responsibility for regular attendance lies solely with each patient. Lack of attendance, non payment of dental fees, violence or abusive behaviour will result in exclusion from the practice.

Emergencies

Whenever possible we will try to accommodate dental emergencies within working hours. Please contact the practice as early as possible if you require attention the same day. Please call 07906 883430. For out of hours emergency please call 01633 744387

Confidentiality

Strict confidentiality of patient records and information is maintained at all times. Patient records will not be passed to any third parties.

Further Information

NHS Direct Wales

Local Health Board
Complaints line: 01495 745656

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales
Private Patients: 0300 0628163

Aneurin Bevan Health Board
St. Cadocs Hospital, Lodge Road, Caerleon
Newport NP18 3XQ
01633 436700