Meet the Team
Martin Southon
Dentist
BDS (LOND), L.D.S.R.C.S. (ENG), GDC 62995
Martin is a lifelong resident of Canterbury. He went to Simon Langton Boys Grammar school before starting dentistry at Kings College Hospital in London. He qualified in 1987 with DBS and then LDS in 1988. He became a partner in the practice in 1990 and sole owner in September 2012.
Martin is dedicated to providing high quality, up to date dental care. He has a professional attitude but maintains a good sense of humour.
Away from work he has lived in Petham since 1992, is married to Lucy and shares his house with Ruby the Siamese cat.
He is interested in cars and collects model cars as well as being fascinated by the real full size items. He tries to keep fit, and enjoys cycling – especially off road. He is a keen supporter of cancer charities, especially CLIC – SERGENT and has undertaken 2 charity cycle rides abroad to raise money to support this cause.
Tom Buckland
Dentist
Tom is a long time resident of Canterbury and went to Simon Langton Grammar School before university. He is the son of the receptionist at Bridge Dental Surgery and worked as Martin’s dental assistant on Saturdays as he was keen on Dentistry from quite early on.
He first studied Biochemistry at Queen Mary University of London. He then went on to complete a further degree in Dentistry at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. After that he has completed his Vocational Training year in a practice in Welling, South London.
Currently Tom has a keen interest in Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment) and the latest techniques in Restorative Dentistry using the most up to date materials and equipment.
Outside of Dentistry Tom enjoys rock climbing and mountain biking and has been to the Alps on multiple occasions for both sports. When he is not throwing himself down a mountain Tom likes to cook, travel and socialise with friends.
Karen Leadbetter
Dentist
Karen trained in dentistry at the University College Hospital Dental School in London, qualifying in 1986.
She has worked at St. Stephens for than 20 years and has also spent 2 years working in general dental practice in Tasmania.
In her spare time you might find her tending to her allotment!
Manoj Patel
Dentist
Manoj places Dental Implants (well over six hundred now), these are the best solution for getting you own teeth back and restoring your confidence about your smile. It avoids the embarrassment of having removable dentures and the chewing difficulties they cause. It also can help secure loose dentures giving you more confidence to tackle foods and speaking in public without worry of them moving around or falling out. The traditional method of replacing a few teeth is to use bridges, these use the teeth either side of the gap to hold a row or a single tooth, this can damage these teeth, dental implants avoids this complication.
Please do not feel embarrassed to see Manoj as he used to rebuilding worn, decayed and missing teeth. He uses the latest tooth friendly techniques to bring your mouth back to life. If chewing or having unsightly teeth is a problem Manoj can address these concerns for you.
Dr Manoj Patel has a wealth of experience and Knowledge in tackling difficult dental problems. Manoj has a patient and warm caring manner. He qualified from Guys Dental Hospital in London in 1999. He has been a Prosthodontic registrar and house officer at Guys Dental Hospital tackling complex patients who have been born without any teeth, lost teeth due to accidents, worn their teeth down. Manoj has completed a Masters in Clinical Dentistry in Prosthodontics from the University of London and passed the tough Membership in Restorative Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He regularly attends lectures and Dental conferences both here and in United States of America to further his expertise. He is on the General Dental Council list of Specialist dentists. He also gives lectures to and mentors other Dentists and in the past was a teacher to dental students.