Meet our Team

Our team of dedicated dental professionals are friendly, highly skilled, and experienced in all manner of dentistry and customer service. We will do everything possible to make your visit to Edge Dental Care as relaxing and comfortable as possible.

Dr Wayne Hirschowitz

Practice Principal

BDS (Rand) D. For. Odont (Stell)
PGCert Implant Dentistry
GDC 65274

Dr Wayne Hirschowitz qualified from the Prestigious University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Wayne went on and achieved a Post Graduate Qualification from the University Of Stellenbosch in 1998. Wayne is an experienced dentist with an interest in surgical dentistry, forensic odontology and providing advice, guidance and mentoring services for prospective dental and medical students.

Dr Claudia Benjamin

Dentist

BDS (Rand) BDS (Wits)
GDC 72659

Dr Benjamin qualified from the prestigious University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa in 1990. Dr Benjamin works passionately and with great care and devotion to her patients, with expertise in Endodontics (root canal treatment), Implantology (as awarded by ‘Dr Mark Hamburger Mini Residency Program’) and has a keen interest in cosmetic treatments too. In addition to this, Dr Benjamin has also obtained Harley Street Academy Certifications in Advanced Endodontics.

Dr Jonathan Sacker

Dentist

BDS (Manc) PGDip Implant (Pros Rehab)
PGCert Implant Dentistry
GDC 193042

Dr Sacker graduated in 2010 from the University of the Manchester. He has worked in a sedation clinic which provided dedicated care for both paediatric and adult patients who were nervous about undertaking dental treatment. This has given him an insight into the management of dental phobia and the methods which can help overcome this.

Dr Sacker is an experienced surgical dentist in 2018 he completed a diploma in prosthetic implant rehabilitation and in 2023 he completed a post graduate certification in implant dentistry.

Dr Sacker is passionate about delivering restorative and cosmetic dentistry using modern techniques. He completed facial aesthetic training at Professor Bob Khanna Training Institute and undertakes a wide variety of facial aesthetics treatments.

Dr Linda Hirschel

Dentist

BDS (Rand) DMD (Boston)
GDC 71195

Dr Linda Hirschel graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa in 1994. She subsequently moved to the USA and in 1996 obtained a Doctor of Medical Dentistry from Boston University. She then set up home in London working as a general practitioner for the past twenty-five years. Linda's clinical interests include smile aesthetics and restorative dentistry.

Her passion for drawing and painting have led her to develop a special interest in the creative and artistic side of designing aesthetically functional restorations.

Dr Hirschel is kind, patient and caring and loves working with children.

She prides herself making her patient's experience at the dentist as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Dr Allen Gaon

Dentist

BDS MSc(endo) MFDS RCPS (Glasg) MDTFEd MFDS RCSEd MCGDent AssocFCGDent
Specialist in Endodontics
GDC 63976

Allen qualified from UMDS Guy's Hospital, University of London in 1988 and soon after entered general practice in Amersham, Buckinghamshire where he established and developed a prestigious town centre dental clinic.

Allen's commitment to high level dental care for his patients was further enhanced by him gaining his MSc in Endodontics from the University of Warwick in 2012. He was invited to remain on the teaching faculty and rose through the ranks to become a Principal Teaching Fellow, Associate Professor and Course Director for the MSc Endodontics programme. Allen concurrently started to accept endodontic referrals.

Allen is a member of the Faculties of Dental Surgery at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow as well as the Faculty of Dental Trainers at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Allen has also been appointed an examiner in Endodontics (MEndo) by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Allen continues to write clinical papers and lecture nationally and internationally, most recently at the American Association of Endodontists. He also leads postgraduate courses for both general practitioners and specialists wanting to enhance their knowledge and skills in endodontics.

Allen is honoured to have been recognised by the GDC as a Specialist in Endodontics and divides his time between working in specialist endodontic practice, teaching endodontics, and undertaking research for a PhD in Maxillary Sinusitis of Endodontic Origin.

Allen looks forwards to offering both referring dentists and their patients the highest level of professional care and attention.

Dr Shandon Weinstein

Dentist

BDS (Wits) PGCert Implant Dentistry
GDC 292198

Dr Weinstein graduated from The University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa in 2018. He has worked at a Community Health Centre proving care to underprivileged communities with a lack of access to health care. Shandon then moved on to work in a private practice in Johannesburg, before immigrating to London March 2021. He is a general dentist, practicing all scopes of dentistry, but with a passion for the surgical aspect.

Shandon loves his work, takes a lot of pride in what he does, and always has a smile on his face.

Dr Isabelle Heliotis

Dentist

BDS
GDC 244789

Dr Heliotis graduated in 2013 from the University of Birmingham with honours, clinical distinction and the prestigious gold medal. After a year in general practice, Dr Heliotis undertook three years of dental core training in a range of dental specialties including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, intravenous sedation of anxious adults and Paediatric Dentistry in Birmingham Community Dental Services as well as Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Dr Heliotis undertook her Paediatric Dentistry specialist training at the Royal London Dental Hospital. In 2022, Dr Heliotis became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh as she successfully completed the Tri-Collegiate Membership in Paediatric Dentistry and joined the GDC specialist register. Since training completion, Dr Heliotis has worked as the Paediatric Dental Specialist for Kent NHS Trust.

Dr Heliotis is passionate about providing dentistry for children with great care, compassion and empathy. She has a vast amount of experience in Paediatric Dentistry with children of all ages including inhalation sedation, management of decay, trauma and developmental disorders. Dr Heliotis also has great confidence and experience providing care for children with special educational needs.

Dr Melissa Shemie

Special Interest in Periodontology

BDS MFDS RCSEng
GDC 295909

Dr Melissa Shemie graduated from King’s College London. Dr Shemie is committed to providing high quality care for patients and has a special interest in advanced gum disease, also known as Periodontology. She is currently on the highly competitive specialist pathway in Periodontology at King’s College London.

Since graduating, Melissa has spent time working in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, serving as a Senior House Officer and gaining substantial hands-on experience in complex surgical procedures involving the head and neck. Her dedication to advancing the field is evident in her research, which has been featured in reputable journals like the Journal of Clinical Periodontology and the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Melissa has also presented her research at an international dental conference and has carried out numerous audit projects to improve healthcare in both the dental and medical settings.

Melissa’s commitment to patient care goes beyond clinical expertise; she is known for her excellent communication skills and genuine compassion for her patients. Outside of her clinical practice, she remains engaged in professional organisations like the British Society of Periodontology and Implantology, where she continues to stay updated on the latest advancements and best practices in the field. Melissa has also trained in Harley Street in facial aesthetics and prides herself on delivering natural results.

Our Hygienists

Ami Nicholson

FdSc Oral Health Science
GDC 208853

Ami graduated from the University of Essex. Ami is a dedicated member of our team. She ensures all her patients are comfortable and leave her surgery with the knowledge and understanding of how they can maintain a healthy smile. Ami has a keen interest in progressing in facial aesthetics.

Ana Paratusic

Dip DH RCS Eng
GDC 103696

Ana graduated from The Royal College of Surgeons in 2006 obtaining a Diploma in Dental Hygiene, she also had the honour of being named Student of the Year. Ana's exceptional aptitude and dedication to the profession was recognised by the General Dental Council and she was presented with a Prestigious Award . Ana has a calming manner with a wealth of experience in the care of anxious patients. Ana provides a wide range of treatments and has a passion for prevention and the treatment of periodontal disease. Ana is enthusiastic about the latest advancements in Dentistry and is a regular attender at dental conferences. In her spare time, Ana is an ardent reader and partakes in delivering dental education in primary school settings.

Justine Frost

Diploma Dental Hygiene Royal College of Surgeons Of England 2003
GDC 6251

Bio coming soon...

Philly Matthews

Foundation Degree in Oral Health Science University of Essex 2018
NVQ L3 Dental Nursing & VRQ L3 Dental Nursing City & Guilds 2011
GDC 222240

Bio coming soon...

Our Management Team

Mrs Julie Turk

Having worked alongside Dr Hirschowitz for nearly 25 years, Julie has a wealth of knowledge and skills as the Practice Manageress. Julie's door is always open for both staff and patients alike.

Ilana Benari

Assistant Manager
Treatment Coordinator

GDC 209405

Our Support Team

Ellie Nicholson
Lead Receptionist

GDC 315136

Emma Crowther
Lead Nurse

GDC 154851

Joanna Rozmus

GDC 222320

Evie Gostick

GDC 309781

Sophie Cole

GDC 316100

Jessica Mulaj
Trainee

Maddie Townend
Trainee

Ana Pirjol
Trainee

Our Reception Team

Kelly Brown

Emma Crowther

GDC 154851

Estelle Hirschowitz