Meet the Team

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Our fantastic clinical team consists of five highly trained dentists, an implant surgeon, a root canal (endodontics) dentist, facial aesthetics practitioners and three dental therapists. We are also fortunate to be supported by an experienced dental nurse and treatments team.

All of us at The Gentle Touch are firm believers in a preventative approach to your dental care.

Dental professionals must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and meet high standards. You can find our dentists on the register: www.gdc-uk.org

Clinical Team Smile Advisors Gentle Aesthetics Childsmile Treatment Support Team

Amber Aplin, dentist at the Gentle Touch, Kelso, is pictured smiling in her clinic.

Mrs Amber Aplin

Principal Dentist

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have a career that doesn’t feel like work. I love getting to know people, looking after their best interests, and all aspects of dentistry. I am passionate about saving teeth – including those that the NHS cannot save – and hope to offer this to…

Qualifications

BDS (Newcastle 1998)

MJDF RCS (Eng)

PgDip PDC (Edin) (Distinction)

GDC 74845

Mrs Lyndsey Adams

Associate Dentist

“I love all aspects of dentistry but working with anxious patients is particularly rewarding. Their fear of visiting the dentist often means they are unhappy with their teeth. I help to put them at ease, building trust with a calm, relaxed and caring approach. Rebuilding their confidence often results in them becoming regular…

Qualifications

BDS (Glasgow 1997)

FDSRCPS (Eng)

GDC 73129

ill Dononvan dentist and root canal practitioner

Mr Will Donovan

Practice limited to endodontics

“I love all parts of dentistry but decided to undertake further training in endodontics (root canal treatment) as it is the specialty that focuses on saving and maintaining teeth. Being able to offer patients options to keep their own functional teeth that have suffered significant damage due to decay, breaking…

Qualifications

BDS (Dundee 2017), MFDS RCS (Edin)
PGCert Dental Education
GDC 270616

Ms Abbie Frankland

Dental Therapist

Abbie graduated from Edinburgh University with a 1st class BSc Honours degree in 2016 and has had a wealth of experience working in the Borders, Perth and Edinburgh. She has a special interest in treating patients who are anxious about dentistry and finds building a good rapport over multiple visits…

Qualifications

BSc Oral Health Science (Honours) University of Edinburgh (2016)

GDC 264682

Tarig Marzoug, dentist, looks to the camera. He is standing in a well-lit corridor at the Gentle Touch dental practice.

Mr Tarig Marzoug

Associate Dentist

“I believe dentistry goes beyond just treating teeth – it’s about building trust and relationships with patients. Preventive care is crucial, and I focus on educating my patients so they can maintain their oral health for as long as possible. I’m committed to staying up to date with the latest…

Qualifications

BDS (Khartoum, Sudan 2011)
GDC 284487

Ms Lynn Nash

Dental Therapist

Lynn started as a dental nurse in the Royal Air Force before transitioning to dental therapy, qualifying in Birmingham in 2009. Due to her husband Tom’s RAF career and the need to move every few years, Lynn has worked in numerous locations throughout UK and Scotland before setting in the…

Qualifications

BSc Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy University of Birmingham (2009)

GDC 185339

Ms Michelle Paxton

Dental Therapist

Michelle Paxton spent the first 8 years of her career as a Dental Nurse. She then studied at the University of the Highlands and Islands for a degree in Oral Health Sciences. Michelle graduated in 2013 with distinction as a dual qualified Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist. Michelle has experience…

Qualifications

BSc Oral Health Science (distinction) Highlands and Islands (2013)

GDC 130398

Mrs Ciara Sutherland

Associate Dentist

“I always knew I wanted to work with and help people. It’s the greatest feeling when you see someone who was so terribly nervous on their first visit gradually evolve into a relaxed, happy patient. It is a joy and a privilege to bring them on that journey. I especially love…

Qualifications

BDS (Cork, Ireland 2008)

MJDF RCS (Eng)

GDC 155749

Mr John Thompson

Associate Dentist

“I enjoy many aspects of dentisty especially the technical challlenges and embracing new techniques as they emerge. I take pride in not just treating teeth but also getting to know my patients, which I hope is reflected in their experience” Born Dromore, County Down, Northern Ireland Training John Thompson graduated…

Qualifications

BDS (Queens, Belfast 2005)

MJDF RCS (Eng)

GDC 86035

Duncan Weir implants dentist in Kelso Scottish Borders

Mr Duncan Weir

Implant Dentist

“I love performing life-changing surgeries. It’s the thrill you get when you’ve fitted a full arch implant on someone who’s hidden their teeth for years – it’s extremely rewarding. I chose implants specifically because I’ve always had a keen interest in surgical dentistry and I love doing aesthetic dentistry. I’m…

Qualifications

BDS MFDS
ClinImpDent
GDC 176892

Photo of Beth McNeil who works at the Gentle Touch dental practice in Kelso. She is smiling in the photo.

Beth Forsyth

Smile Advisor and Implant Care Coordinator

Beth is our Smile Advisor and our Implant Patient Care Coordinator, as well as being a member of the dental nurse team. Beth spends time with our patients and dentists during the planning of more complex treatment plans. As Beth is involved from an early stage, she is a great…

Qualifications

SVQ in Dental Nursing at SCQF level 7 SQA (2018)

GDC 280490

Ashley Swailes

Smile Advisor

Ashley Swailes joined the Gentle Touch dental practice in Nov 2023 as one of our Smile Advisors. She also occasionally helps out front of house and provides chair-side support as a dental nurse when required. Being a Smile Advisor allows Ashley to use her clinical knowledge to help new and…

Qualifications

SVQ level 3 Dental Nursing

GDC 198323

Dr Ciara Sutherland

Facial aesthetics practitioner

Dr. Ciara Sutherland runs “Gentle Aesthetics” here at the clinic. “Aesthetics” describes treatments for wrinkle reduction and facial fillers. Ciara is also one of the dentists here at the Gentle Touch. Training Ciara graduated from University College Cork, Ireland in 2008. Having worked in dentistry for 13 years, it is…

Qualifications

BDS (Cork, Ireland 2008)

MJDF RCS Eng

Ms Abbie Frankland

Lip Filler Specialist

Abbie is a Dental Therapist and also works in our Gentle Aesthetics clinic. She is a lip filler specialist. Abbie loves meeting new people and she builds an excellent rapport with her facial aesthetics clients. Abbie graduated from Edinburgh University with a 1st class BSc Honours degree in 2016 and…

Qualifications

BSc Oral Health Science (Honours) University of Edinburgh (2016)

GDC

Lisa Wood

Childsmile Dental Nurse

Lisa Wood has been with us at the Gentle Touch since 2006. She joined the practice directly from Kelso High School, and qualified two years later as a Dental Nurse. She went on to train as a Childsmile nurse in 2012 and has been treating children at our practice ever…

Qualifications

National Certificate NEBDN 2008

GDC 163210

Ashley Foggon

Childsmile, Scanning & Invisalign Care Coordinator

Ashley has over a decade of dental nursing experience. She runs 3D scanning clinics at Gentle Touch, aiding diagnosis by our dentists as well as Invisalign aligner creation. As a Childsmile Nurse, she supports our youngest patients on the NHS with oral health, dietary, and brushing advice. Ashley has two young children…

Qualifications

National Diploma in Dental Nursing NEBDN (2013)

GDC 243594

Matthew Aplin

Operations Director

Matthew Aplin is Operations Director at the Gentle Touch dental practice.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons)

Dental nurses and reception team at Gentle Touch

Meet our Treatment Support Team

The Gentle Touch

Our treatment support team comprises our Operations Director, Senior Management Team, senior dental nurse, dental nurses, our Childsmile nurses, our decontamination technician and reception team. The treatment support team are a very friendly bunch, and are only-too-happy to help existing patients and new patients wanting to join the practice. Please…

Qualifications

Varies by role

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