Ruth Willis (BDS N/cle, DGDP, Reg. 66589) and Nicola Hill (BDS N/cle, Reg. 70550) have been friends since 1995 when they worked as associate dentists together. Ruth became a partner at Shotley Bridge Dental Care in 1998 and Nicola joined her as partner in 2004.
They have enjoyed building Shotley Bridge Dental Care into the busy dental practice it has become. This has involved over the years a relocation of the premises and bringing together a wonderful team of staff, including associate dentists Olivia Thorniley-Walker (BDS Bristol 2021, Reg. 296688) and Ryan Shotton (BDS Newcastle University 2021, Reg. 296197). Dental therapist Eleanor Rae 301734 (BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy University of Leeds 2022. Reg 301734), Dental hygienist Gail McArthur (CEB Dip Dent Hygiene 1995. Reg. 4994) all headed by our practice manager Lisa Guthrie.
We believe in investing in the constant training and development of all our dental care professionals at Shotley Bridge Dental Care and are proud to be Gold Members of the BDA Good Practice Scheme. We are also registered with NHS Choices.
We offer a wide range of orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry including Invisalign clear aligners and teeth whitening to give you the straight smile you've always dreamed of. All of our staff are committed, enthusiastic and have a very close bond with our patients and take pride in putting them first. We have seen how Invisalign treatment has transformed our patients, improving their smile, health, and quality of life.
Nicola Hill
BDS (N/cle)
GDC No: 70550
Principal Dentist
Nicola graduated from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in June 1995. She worked for her first nine years as an associate dentist at a dental practice in Gosforth, Newcastle, before becoming a partner at Shotley Bridge Dental Care.
Nicola has always had an interest in restoring beautiful smiles and has invested heavily in further training. Initially, she completed a one year course in Practical and Aesthetic Dentistry followed by a second year, hands-on practical course, both with Dr Paul Tipton in Manchester. More recently, Nicola has completed the one year Certificate in Contemporary Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry (Level 1) with Dr Dominic Hassall and is currently attending the Advanced Course in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry (Level 2).
Since discovering short-term orthodontics six years ago, Nicola has now found her niche in dentistry. She has explored many systems and has found that she likes using the Invisalign System the most. This allows her to move teeth into the correct position, and so making restoring the teeth easier. She also uses white filling materials as much as possible, so as not to have to cut down healthy teeth for veneers and crowns.
Ruth Willis
BDS (N/cle), DGDP
GDC No: 66589
Principal Dentist
Ruth graduated in June 1991 from the University of Newcastle. She achieved her Diploma of General Dental Practitioners (DGDP) in 1995. Ruth worked as an associate in a practice in Newcastle for seven years before becoming a partner at Shotley Bridge Dental Care where she has enjoyed her role in how the practice has evolved and grown over the past 19 years. This is from two surgeries and four staff to now five surgeries and 19 dentists and employees.
Ruth's passion is to improve peoples smiles. Over the past five years she has attended numerous courses in cosmetically restoring teeth with composite and has completed a year long certificate in contemporary restorative and aesthetic dentistry course with Dr Dominic Hassall and is about to complete the advanced Level 2 course. Her interest in aligning teeth began five years ago and since then she has completed training in several different orthodontic systems. She is finding Invisalign a true leader in teeth straightening due to its investment in technology and constantly improving methods. The transformation and life changing results are a joy for both patient and dentist.
Travel
Approximately 20 minutes from Durham and 30 minutes from Central Newcastle.
Parking
Our car park is directly opposite the practice.
Please obtain a parking permit at reception