Meet the team

Howard qualified in 1983 from the University of Leeds. Having qualified, Howard left Leeds to join our practice, initially at our former location in Cambridge Street and then moving to our present location at Charles Street in 1987.

With well over 25 years of experience in General Dental practice, Howard has worked in most fields of Dentistry, but in more recent years he has tended to concentrate on his main interest of Restorative Dentistry.

Always keen to keep up to date with the ever changing face of Dentistry and learn new techniques, Howard attends many postgraduate courses and seminars both locally and further a field. He says the day he loses the enthusiasm for further education will be the day he retires.

Howard aims to provide high quality dental care in a friendly, informal and relaxed atmosphere and never forgetting that he is treating a person and not just a mouth.

Bill graduated from the University of Sheffield in 1990 and began his dental career in NHS practice in Wigan. Today, Bill focuses on Endodontics (root canal), with complex cases being referred to Bill from all over the UK.

In 2002 Bill purchased his first microscope and increased his referral case load to 2 days per week, while continuing in the enjoyable role of general practitioner.

In 2005 Bill limited his practice to endodontics, performing around 60% re treatment cases. He works with the microscope for 100% of each case and has a keen interest in photography through the microscope.

Bill joined the British Endodontic Society in 1992 and since that time has attended over 20 BES meetings. He was a Council Member from 2002 -2009 and Treasurer from 2004-2009. He is actively involved in internet discussion sites such as Roots and TDO, where he regularly presents cases for discussion and education.

He has taught at The Eastman CPD centre, and lectures worldwide on Endodontics and Microscopes.

He regularly lectures and presents hands on courses at major events such as The Dentistry Show and Dental Showcase, and is a Key Opinion Leader for Kavo Kerr, where he is involved in teaching Endodontists how best to run their own courses, and also in product development.

Outside work he enjoys spending time with his wife Jaana and their 3 children. He is a keen golfer, loves skiing and scuba diving. He has competed in Time Trials on his bicycle, achieving a sub 20 minute 10 mile time.  He is also a life long Wigan RL fan.

Melissa is a multi-award winning dentist of international renown with over 25 years’ experience in all areas of the field. She has Special Interest in Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry and has shared this interest, teaching Restorative Dentistry at both Liverpool and Sheffield Dental Schools.

Melissa is the UK and Europe trainer for Fastbraces, Orthoworld and provides education in this American system to postgraduate dentists from all over the globe.

An acclaimed international speaker and featured on the Royal Society of Medicine’s ‘Wall of Honour’ at their headquarters in London, Melissa maintains the highest of standards of patient care and self-development.

Melissa is a firm believer that a smile is about more than teeth and is also an advanced Facial Aesthetics practitioner to ensure every patient is treated holistically. This ensures optimal sympathetic results for all her patients and is one of the reasons she has achieved a 5-star rating on the national Dental Phobia website.

In her free time Melissa enjoys  travelling, cooking and spending time with her loved ones (both human and canine!) and is a qualified yoga instructor.

Alison Foster qualified in 1993 having completed her dental training through the University of Sheffield at the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, Sheffield.

Alison’s relaxed and chatty persona helps put all her patients at ease.

Outside of dentistry, Alison enjoys meals out with friends and discussing the finer points of Theology.

Ellen trained in 2006 from Sheffield University. She joined us here at Portman Dental and Implant Clinic in early 2014 after having a baby and moving to the Peak District where she has always dreamed of living.

She believes in an open minded and honest approach to caring for her patients with their well-being always coming first. Ellen endeavours to explain her findings to patients as clearly as she can, with all available treatments and strategies for care presented. She wants her patients feel in control and comfortable during their time in her care.

Outside of dentistry Ellen is a keen climber…. when she manages to get time apart from looking after her adorable little daughter! She is also learning how to look after her tiny garden and loves getting out walking and enjoying the area she lives in with her little family.

Dr Joe Norris qualified as a Dental Surgeon from Newcastle University in 2014 and is the latest addition to our growing team.

Dr Joe has a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and holds a postgraduate certificate in Cosmetic Dentistry and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry amongst other postgraduate accolades. 

Dr Joe is particularly skilled in the art of smile design, and has the ability to completely transform teeth in ways that can often be life changing for his happy patients. Dr Joe takes great pride and enjoyment in using the most cutting edge techniques, combining treatments such as tooth whitening, cosmetic bonding, veneers and crowns to completely transform smiles. 

Dr Joe also takes great passion in the art of improving the appearance of crooked teeth using cosmetic tooth straightening systems such as:

• 6 Month smiles fixed tooth-coloured braces
• Invisalign clear tooth aligners
• The Inman aligner (for minor misalignment)

Knowing that there is more to a stunning smile than just the teeth, Dr Joe has undertaken comprehensive training in facial aesthetics treatments such as:

• Anti-wrinkle injections (using Botoulinum Toxin)
• Subtle lip enhancement techniques using dermal filler injections.

Dr Joe offers free consultations to those who wish to learn more about how their smile can be transformed using any or all of the above techniques.