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Meet the Team

All our dentists adhere to the strict guidelines governing the profession under strict guidance from the General Dental Council (GDC) "Standards for Dental Professionals".

Dr Graham Keeling and Dr Lisa Costigan are the principal partners at Rottingdean Dental Care. They are husband and wife and lead a long established team of dentists, hygienists, practice manager and registered dental care professionals. The practice opened in its present location in 1982 and was the first in the county to achieve the prestigious Investors in People and BDA Good Practice quality standards.

Sam Newman
Sam Newman

Practice Manager
Registered Dental Nurse
Qual- Cert in Dental Surgery Assisting Lond 1992
GDC No. 134018

Sam trained as a Dental Nurse at the Eastman Dental Hospital in 1991 and qualified in March 1992.

She joined the practice in October 1997 as a Dental nurse and receptionist.

Sam became Cross Infection Champion in 2012 and then Deputy Manager in 2016.

Sam has three young boys to keep her busy.

Danielle Tapp
Danielle Tapp

Dental Hygienist
BSc (hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy (Cardiff 2015)
L3 Dental Nursing City & Guilds 2011
GDC No. 220998

Danielle qualified as a dental therapist from Cardiff University in 2015 after initially starting work as a dental nurse.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

She is currently training to run the half marathon and enjoys regularly going to the gym.

Katie Sandford
Katie Sandford

Hygienist and Therapist
Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy (BSc) at The University of Portsmouth
GDC No. 262230

Kate was born and raised in Brighton and is incredibly proud of her home city. She spent her first 9 years in dentistry as a qualified dental nurse, Some of which she spent working at Rottingdean Dental Care. Kate went on to achieve a Distinction in a Biomedical Science diploma (DipHE), as well as a Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy bachelor’s (BSc) at The University of Portsmouth. Kate has now returned to the practice as one of our hygienists and therapists.

During her studies, Kate also volunteered as a dental professional to provide care for the homeless community, and, more recently, Ukrainian and Palestinian refugees. Kate believes that everyone should have access to high quality and non-judgmental dental care, and strives to make all her patients feel seen, heard, and respected.

In her spare time, Kate enjoys crochet, sewing (she sometimes makes her own clothes), embroidery, reading, and exploring woodlands with her little dog, Mabel.

Joanne Ockenden
Joanne Ockenden

Registered Dental Nurse and Compliance Lead
NEBDN 2007
GDC No. 117606

Joanne has over 13 years' experience in dentistry and has managed a busy 5 surgery practice.

She has also been a lead nurse and obtained her NEBDN Dental nurse qualification in 2007.

In her spare time she is kept very busy looking after her young family and socialising.

Melissa Stothers
Melissa Stothers

Registered Dental Nurse
Cross Infection Lead, Dental Health Educator, Denplan Champion
Qual- Dental Surgery Assistant TestB Royal Air Force 1986
GDC No. 105931

Melissa trained in the RAF and qualified in 1986.

In 1994 she went on to gain the NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education.

She joined our practice in October 2013.

In April 2016 she obtained the DNETC Certificate in Fluoride Application at Kings College, London.

Melissa enjoys cooking, reading and playing the piano.

Aimee Boncza
Aimee Boncza

Registered Dental Nurse
Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing 2015
GDC No. 260438

Aimee has 5 years' experience in dentistry and qualified in 2015.

She joined our practice in 2018.

She enjoys shopping and spending time with her family

Karen Carlile
Karen Carlile

Registered Dental Nurse
GDC No. 122266

Karen Has over 40 years experience in dentistry gaining her National Diploma in dental nursing (NEBDN) in 1985.

Karen was practice manager at Rottingdean Dental Care for 8 years until 2004. She then returned to dental nursing, becoming cross infection lead at a large practice in Lewes.

Karen is a keen cinema and theatre goer and loves swimming, taking part in team triathlons around the country. She has a passion for travelling and has enjoyed independent trips across Australasia and South East Asia. She recently completed a 100km walk along the Thames tow path.