Boroughbridge Dental Practice | Dental Practice Ripon | Dentist North Yorkshire

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.

Our Friendly, Expert Team in Ripon

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.

Richard Hajjawi

Principal Dentist
GDC No. 244022

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 Petrie

Dentist
GDC No. 210043

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.

James Kitchingman

Clinical Denture Technician
GDC No. 279222

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.

Heidi Foster

Implantologist
GDC No. 211953

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.

Lorna Bamford

Treatment and Marketing Co-ordinator
GDC No. 271499

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 Buck

Practice Manager
GDC No. 285011

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 Delai

Head of Reception

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.

  • Ripon Dental Practice | Dental Practice Ripon | Dentist North Yorkshire
  • Ripon Dental Practice | Dental Practice Ripon | Dentist North Yorkshire
  • Ripon Dental Practice | Dental Practice Ripon | Dentist North Yorkshire
  • Ripon Dental Practice | Dental Practice Ripon | Dentist North Yorkshire
  • Ripon Dental Practice | Dental Practice Ripon | Dentist North Yorkshire