Meet the Team
Experienced, compassionate, and committed to patient-first care. Reopening Ripon’s historic 50-year-old practice as an independent, family-led clinic.
Experienced, compassionate, and committed to patient-first care. Reopening Ripon’s historic 50-year-old practice as an independent, family-led clinic.
At Ripon Dental Centre, our skilled and compassionate team is the heart of everything we do. Bringing decades of combined clinical expertise to our historic 50-year-old practice, our independent, non-corporate practitioners are dedicated to delivering gentle, unhurried dentistry tailored entirely to you. Whether you are visiting us for routine preventive care, complex implant surgery, or support with dental anxiety, our friendly team is here to ensure every visit is welcoming, relaxed, and completely stress-free.
Originally from Hull, Richard qualified from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Dental Institute in London winning multiple undergraduate prizes having previously gained an Honours degree in Biomedical Science. He completed his dental foundation training in North Yorkshire and then continued his training by working as a community dental officer in County Durham. This position involved dealing with anxious adults and children, often under sedation or general anaesthetic. He passed his membership exams at the Royal College of Surgeons England during this time.
After his community post, he worked at James Cook University Hospital Oral and Maxillofacial Department developing his oral surgery skills and managing trauma patients in A&E.
Upon leaving his hospital role, Richard split his time between general practice in York and the prison service, further developing his skills by completing an advanced certificate in restorative dentistry. Particularly enjoying oral surgery, he has completed a year-long implant course at the highly regarded Campbell Academy in Nottingham and is a member of the International Team of Implantology.
The experience and knowledge gained from his previous roles allow Richard to provide the highest quality of care to his patients in a relaxed environment.
Richard lives locally in Ripon with his wife, and three children and can often be found walking his dog.
Originally from Hull, Richard qualified from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Dental Institute in London winning multiple undergraduate prizes having previously gained an Honours degree in Biomedical Science. He completed his dental foundation training in North Yorkshire and then continued his training by working as a community dental officer in County Durham. This position involved dealing with anxious adults and children, often under sedation or general anaesthetic. During this time, he passed his membership exams at the Royal College of Surgeons England.
Freya has also continued to enjoy working as a general dental practitioner and providing access to emergency care for NHS out-of-hours patients. She has a keen interest in endodontics and has completed a post graduate diploma in endodontics, achieving a merit. Freya is now currently studying a masters in endodontics.
Outside of her time at our Boroughbridge Dental Centre, Freya enjoys spending time in the countryside walking her dog Gertie, keeping fit with exercise classes and travelling.
Freya graduated from Newcastle University in 2011 and went on to complete the two-year GPT scheme, gaining invaluable experience in restorative, paediatric, oral surgery and emergency dental care. During this time, Freya was awarded her MFDS and entry into the Royal College of Surgeons.
Freya then moved to Scotland to undertake further training in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), obtaining her Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Education. She then made the decision to return to general dental practice, however, also continued to work as an OMFS trust doctor for a further two years.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and dedication to patient satisfaction, James takes great pride in helping people restore both their smiles and confidence.
Outside of work, James is a loyal Leeds United supporter and enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.
James began his career as a dental technician in 2012, honing his skills and passion for creating high-quality dentures. After qualifying from Leeds Dental Institute in 2018, he brought over a decade of experience in crafting all types of dentures to his practice.
Eager to expand his expertise and better serve his patients, James completed the Clinical Dental Technician program at the University of Central Lancashire in 2021. Since then, he has gained extensive experience in providing personalised denture solutions, building strong relationships with patients through his attentive care and exceptional communication skills.
For Heidi, being a dentist isn’t just a job—it’s a privilege. She loves the opportunity to care for her patients, building trust and improving lives through personalized dental treatment. Her approach is grounded in empathy, and she’s committed to making every visit a positive experience.
Outside of work, Heidi is a devoted mother to two children, a boy and a girl. Together, they share a family passion for football, often spending weekends cheering on local matches or supporting their favorite team, Sheffield Wednesday. Whether on the sidelines or in the dental chair, Heidi brings enthusiasm and care to everything she does.
Dr. Heidi Foster is a dedicated dentist with over a decade of experience, with special interest in dental implants and restorative dentistry. After qualifying from the University of Leeds in 2011, Heidi has cultivated a passion for transforming smiles and restoring patients’ confidence. Her expertise in dental implants allows her to provide effective, long-term solutions for those with missing teeth, helping them regain function and aesthetics. In restorative dentistry, she combines skill and artistry to repair and enhance damaged teeth, ensuring that her patients enjoy both health and beauty in their smiles.
Outside of work, Lorna enjoys spending quality time with friends and family and is a dedicated CrossFitter.
Lorna began her career at just 16 years old as an apprentice dental nurse at a practice in Ripon. She has since gained extensive experience working in both NHS and private dental practices, developing strong knowledge in clear aligners, teeth straightening, and dental implants. Alongside this, Lorna has completed additional qualifications in impression taking, intra-oral scanning, dental implant nursing, and dental radiography.
More recently, Lorna completed a degree-level apprenticeship in Digital Marketing, achieving honours. She now combines her clinical background with her marketing expertise in her role as Boroughbridge Dental Centre’s on-site Digital Marketer and Treatment Coordinator, where she looks after our implant and teeth straightening patients, ensuring a smooth and supportive patient journey from start to finish.
Elaine lives in Ripon and, when not at work, enjoys dog walks, baking, and spending quality time with her two sons. She looks forward to welcoming you to the practice!
Elaine has been a dedicated part of this practice for over eight years, beginning her journey as a trainee nurse. Coming from a clinical background has given her a strong understanding of patient care, which she believes is essential in her role as Practice Manager. This experience helps her better understand patients’ needs and ensures that high‑quality, patient‑centred care is delivered consistently.
During her time here, Elaine qualified as a dental nurse and has continued her professional development, including completing a Level 4 qualification in Dental Practice Management. She still holds her registration as a dental nurse and loves working in the surgery, which allows her to stay connected to direct patient care. You may see her in the practice from time to time assisting in surgery or helping on reception when needed.
Elaine is a people person who is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for both staff and patients. Her clinical background and ongoing training enable her to support and lead the team effectively, ensuring excellent service with professionalism and kindness.
Kelly has been part of the clinic for over four years. She originally joined the team as a receptionist and quickly progressed to Head of Reception, demonstrating strong leadership skills and a natural ability to support both patients and colleagues.
In 2025, Kelly completed her Level 3 Customer Service Specialist qualification, further strengthening her expertise in delivering an excellent patient experience.