About Us

Catherine McCanny

BDS, FDS (RCS Edin), MDentSci, MOrth (RCS, Edin)

Catherine graduated from Dental School at Queen’s University Belfast in 1988. She commenced her specialist training in Orthodontics at Leeds Dental Institute in 1993. After this she teamed up with her partner, now husband, Joe, to build and develop St. Michael’s Dental Practice and St. Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd. which opened in 1998. She gained her specialist qualification in 1996 and is currently registered (reg.nr. 63428) on the specialist list for Orthodontists at the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

Catherine is also a member of the British Orthodontic Society (http://www.bos.org.uk) and the World Federation of Orthodontists (http://www.wfo.org). Catherine is now the Honorary secretary of the OSG (Orthodontic Specialist Group)committee within the BOS (British Orthodontic Society)

Catherine was delighted to win three awards in the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards including winning the ultimate accolade of ‘Best Aesthetic Dentist 2013’. This success was repeated in Aesthetic Dentistry Awards 2015 where they picked up a further three awards including ‘Best Team’ and again in 2018 when she was the winner of the Best Child/Teenager Fixed appliance case and the best Invisalign case.

This year Catherine has achieved two milestones, firstly in treating 500 patients and secondly in achieving Invisalign Diamond Provider status (which has only been achieved by 0.2 % of Invisalign providers in the UK). She has a keen interest in using Invisalign Teen and also sits on the Invisalign Advisory Board.

Ruth Dent

Ruth graduated from Leeds Dental Institute in 1989. She worked in both General Dental Practice and in the Community Dental Services before completing a two year orthodontic programme in 2003 at Hull Royal Infirmary. Ruth has gained further orthodontic training in specialist practice in Ilkley and in Leeds before joining St Michaels in June 2010. She is registered (regr-64761) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

Katie Hodgkin

Katie Hodgkin (Dip Orth Therapy RCS Eng)

Katie has joined the team at St Michaels as an Orthodontic Therapist, having worked in Dentistry for over 12 years. She gained her National Certificate in Dental Nursing in 1999 from Leeds Dental Institute. She then completed her Orthodontic Nursing qualification in 2005.

She has subsequently trained as an Orthodontic Therapist at Leeds Dental Institute and Seacroft Hospital and gained her Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy from the Royal College of Surgeons, England in 2010. Katie is registered (reg.nr. 111278) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org). Katie has now gained her BDA education certificate in Dental Radiography.

Her extensive experience and good sense of humour makes Katie an asset to our well established team.

In her spare time she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Nicola Noble

R.D.H.R.D.T.

Nicola joined St Michaels in 2010 as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist. She started her career in Dentistry in 2003 at Leeds Dental Institute as a Dental Nurse. Nicola graduated from the University of Leeds in 2008 as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist. Nicola is registered with the General Dental Council (no 171195). In her spare time she enjoys walking her dog and socialising.

Carol Walter

Practice Manager

Carol joined St. Michael’s Dental Practice in 1988. She worked in general practice as a dental nurse until taking a career break after the birth of her daughter. She returned in 1995 to work in the specialist Orthodontic Department with Catherine. Following the expansion of the practice in 1995, she then worked as the main receptionist. She was appointed practice manager in 2009.

Over the years Carol has gained extensive knowledge in the running of an orthodontic practice and is able to utilise all her knowledge gained as a dental nurse to give patients advice on all aspects of their orthodontic treatment. She is committed to updating her computer skills and people skills by regularly attending courses. She has attained level-2 in both IT and computerised account management. Carol has completed the relevant exams to register (reg.nr. 121230) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org). She is now enrolled on the ILM Leadership and Management course.

Carol enjoys reading and walking.

Joanne Reape

Orthodontic Reception & Treatment Coordinator

Joanne joined us in August 2010. She brought with her a great deal of experience in Customer Service, which she gained from her previous employment. She also works alongside Dawn as treatment coordinator.

Joanne enjoys working closely with people and is looking forward to the new challenges ahead, as she learns more about orthodontics. In her spare time, Joanne enjoys running and going to the gym.

Dawn Rimmington

Treatment Coordinator

Dawn joined St. Michael’s Orthodontic Practice in January 2000 as a full time dental nurse. She took a career break for a year after the birth of her daughter and then returned to the practice on a part time basis. In 2007 she passed all the relevant exams to register (reg.nr. 122342) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

She is now the practice Treatment Coordinator which helps to bridge the gap between the new patients and the practice and staff. This role means that the patient can have direct communication with the practice to discuss any concerns they may have about their treatment. Dawn enjoys swimming and shopping.

Donna Dixon

Orthodontic Nurse

Donna joined the St. Michael’s orthodontic team in October 2008. She has attained her NVQ level 3 in Dental Nursing and has also completed the necessary training in Oral Health Care. She is an enthusiastic, outgoing person who is eager to learn new skills and further her knowledge. Donna has now gained her certificate in Dental Radiology. She is registered (reg.nr. 162433) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

Donna has also now gained her certificate in Orthodontic Nursing which she undertook to further enhance her skills.

Donna’s hobbies include socialising, eating out and retail therapy!

Emma Stark

Orthodontic Nurse

Emma started dental nursing in 2012 and gained her NVQ Level 3 in dental nursing in 2014. Since then she has worked in general and specialist private practices. She joined the team at St Michaels and is currently improving her skills in orthodontics. She is looking forward to starting her radiography course this year.

She is registered (reg.nr. 254523) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

In her spare time she loves to travel, cook and spend time with her little zoo at home, she currently has 2 cats, 1 dog, various reptiles and a fish tank!

Gail Kelly

Orthodontic Nurse

Gail joined the team in June 2017. She spent years in Australia where she gained her nursing qualification and moved back to the UK IN She is registered (reg.nr. ) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

She loves running, keeping fit and cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Natalie Murray

Orthodontic Nurse

Natalie returned to the St Michael’s team in September 2016. She began working as a dental nurse in 2006, and in 2008 gained her NVQ Level 3 in dental nursing. Since then Natalie has achieved her NEBDN certificate in Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education. She is hoping to enrol on to the Orthodontic Nursing programme in the near future to further her skills and development in the orthodontic field.
She is registered (reg.nr. 169309 ) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

In her spare time she likes to shop and socialise with family and friends.

Emma Haynes

Orthodontic Nurse

Emma has been working as a dental nurse since she left school 20 years ago. She gained her nursing qualification in 2008. She has also gained her certificate in Oral Health Education and in topical fluoride application.

She joined the team at St Michaels in November 2016.

She is registered (reg.nr. 134250) with the General Dental Council (http://www.gdc-uk.org).

She enjoys spending her spare time with family and friends.