Our Team
Dr Murtuza Hasnaini
Specialist Orthodontist, Practice Principal
BDS (Hons), MFDSRCS (Eng), MSc, MOrth RCS (Eng), MOrthRCS (Ed)
Clinical Lecturer in Orthodontics Warwick University
General Dental Council registration number – 73467
Member of World Federation of Orthodontists, American Association of Orthodontics, British Orthodontic Society.
Murtuza trained at Barts and The London and passed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Distinction. After further training at the Royal London Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children he returned back to the Royal London for 3 years of full time specialist training in Orthodontics. On completion of his training in 2003 he was the only person in the UK to be awarded the Orthodontic Specialist Diploma (MOrth) from both the Royal College of Surgeons in England and Edinburgh.
I set up the Practice in 2004 and we expanded to our current location in 2008.
As the Leader of the team, it is my aim to make sure that all of our patients receive a world class service and attain outstanding treatment results; and this is exactly what I believe we achieve. It is especially rewarding to hear our clinics recommended to the friends and family of patients we have treated. We don't just look to change smiles at The Brace, we want to make a real difference to the lives of our clients.
My special interests are orthodontics for adults and patients with advanced gum disease, the business of Orthodontics, Marketing and teaching. I regularly work with other Specialists such as Periodontists (gum specialist) and Implantologists and this allows me to solve very complex problems. I am actively involved in teaching and training, and have been appointed at Warwick University to train dentists to become Specialist Orthodontists.
To wind down I enjoy playing tennis. I am also fascinated by learning about new cultures and love to travel to new places. My biggest hobby has got to be my young family! I do have one burning ambition...to learn to fly an aeroplane!
Dr Mervyn Chin
Associate Orthodontist
BDS (Singapore), MSc (London), MOrth RCS (Edinburgh), PhD (Groningen)
General Dental Council registration number – 80262
Mervyn’s excellence has been recognised by the award of the prestigious WJB Houston Scholarship by the European Orthodontic Society during the years 2004 to 2007. He was also awarded the UbboEmmius Scholarship by the University of Groningen. He is an active member of the European Orthodontic Society and has presented several papers at their annual conferences. He is also a member of the British Orthodontic Society, British Lingual Orthodontic Society, British Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists and a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists. Besides his busy clinical career, he maintains a keen interest in research and publishes and reviews articles in several international journals in the field of Orthodontics and Biomaterials.
My position within the practice is Associate Orthodontist with my specialist areas of practice including dento-facial orthopaedics. I have a special interest in adult orthodontics which involves multi-disciplinary approach in restoring beautiful smiles, as well as healthy and well-functioning dentition.
I find it particularly rewarding to provide up-to-date care to patients of all ages enhancing their smile, personality and self-esteem. I find it especially pleasing when I get recommended by overseas colleagues when their patients come to live and work in London.
I always find time to travel around the world despite my busy clinical career. In connection to that, I am a big fan of different world cuisine, languages and cultures and love the performing arts in all their forms.
I speak English, Chinese, Cantonese, Malay and some Dutch.
Lauren Douglass
Orthodontic Therapist
General Dental Council registration number – 115055
I have been working with Dr Hasnaini since 2002 as a trainee dental nurse. Since then I have progressed first to Head Nurse and then became one of the first Orthodontic Therapists in the UK. You will often find me singing in the surgery, we like to have fun while we work!
Therapists undergo a rigorous training programme under the direct supervision of several specialist orthodontists with written and practical exams at the end of the training leading to the qualification ofDiploma in Orthodontic Therapy from the Royal College of Surgeons. Orthodontic therapists are now a GDC recognised category of DCPs and can perform the following under prescription (identical to a hygienist) of a dentist:
- Take all records, x-rays and impressions
- Fit all fixed and removable appliances and retainers
- Remove all appliances
- Adjust appliances and change wires
- Provide all necessary emergency treatment
Dr Dominiki Chatzopoulou
Periodontist
DipDS, Mclin Dent in Perio(Lond)
Clinical Lecturer in Periodontics, Special interest in implants, Course Director at the Royal London Hospital for the post-graduate training programme in Periodontics (MClinDent).
General Dental Council registration number - 78726
Dominiki qualified in 1998 in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, school of Dentistry with an outstanding student class rank and financial honours. She was awarded a performance scholarship for her MClinDent degree sponsored by the State Scholarship Institute (IKY) in Periodontics at the Royal London Hospital which she completed with distinction in 2001.
Dominiki delivers our NHS Periodontal service for Tower Hamlets and is also available for private sessions to treat gum disease. She works alongside our Orthodontists and Hygienist to ensure patients have healthy and aesthetic gums.
Jusna Begum
Nurse
General Dental Council registration number – 146499
Ozoda Muminova
Nurse
General Dental Council registration number – 208049
I qualified as a Dental Nurse in 2010 and my role involves making sure all patients are comfortable during their appointments, helping them learn how to clean and look after their braces to get the best results and ensuring the smooth running of the clinics.
Ozoda is currently on maternity leave and will be back with us in October 2013.
Pilar Mena
Receptionist
My role at Reception is to make sure that you always receive a warm welcome when you come to The Brace. I will help you to arrange convenient appointment times and help with any queries you may have.
In my spare time I am learning to play guitar. I also like classic films and I am an avid reader, one of my favourite authors is Daphne Du Maurier (Jamaica Inn is a great book!).
Kisha George
Receptionist/Nurse
General Dental Council registration number – 217903
I spend most of my time at Reception helping you to arrange your appointments, but sometimes you may see me in the surgery as I am also a qualified Nurse and help out when needed.
Michelle Harvey
Treatment Coordinator
I am here to provide you with all the information you need to help decide which type of brace is the right choice for you. I am also your point of contact throughout treatment if you have any questions or queries.
When I am not meeting with new patients I can be found at my desk, responding to emails, posting on Facebook, updating the website and generally trying to make sure you have a great experience with The Brace. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have michelleharvey@thebrace.com
Outside of work I have a very eclectic taste in music and enjoy going to concerts with my friends.
Benjamin Blum
Dental Hygienist and Therapist
Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy
General Dental Council registration number - 158558
Benjamin trained at Barts and The Royal London and passed his Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy with distinction. Benjamin has a wide range of experience having worked in both hospital departments and in practice. Benjamin supports the delivery of our NHS periodontal service and also treats our orthodontic patients.
Outside of work I enjoy music, travelling and trying out new cultures and cuisines.