Meet the Team
Dr Patricia Webley
Specialist Orthodontist. Patricia was born and brought up in Bristol, and studied dentistry at the University of Newcastle of Tyne, qualifying as a dentist in 1980. She then worked for 9 years in general practice, firstly as an associate and then in her own practice in Devon, before emigrating to Germany in 1989, where she developed her interest in Orthodontics.
She studied orthodontics and dental orthopaedics in Germany, the UK and the USA and opened her own practice which quickly became a successful enterprise specialising in non-extraction orthodontics. Patricia is a registered Specialist Orthodontist with the General Dental Council Patricia is a recognised trainer for the Royal College of Surgeon's Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy and is a member of the British Dental Association, the British Orthodontic Society and the European Orthodontic Society.
In 2004 she returned to the UK working in Nottingham until in October 2005 she opened her own practice “Smilemakers” in Bitterne Southampton.
Patricia is involved in all aspects of orthodontics, including the treatment of adults with either fixed or “invisible” braces. Her particular field of interest and expertise is orthopaedics, which involves the treatment of the younger growing child, and minimises the risk of extracting healthy permanent teeth in later life. These techniques are becoming increasingly popular with both parents and dentists.
In her private life, Patricia is married with two student daughters, one of whom is currently studying at the University of Southampton, and is greatly enjoying discovering the pleasures of living on the South Coast.
Dr Chris Knight
We are delighted to welcome Dr Chris Knight to Octagon Dental Centre.
Chris was born in Yorkshire and qualified in Leeds. He came to work in Bitterne, Southampton in the 1970’s prior to opening his own practice in Warsash.
He has worked as a Clinical Assistant at Southampton General Hospital specialising in advanced restorative work, as well as being a dental advisor to a large dental corporate.
Chris studied extensively at the Eastman Dental Hospital, London, and has a keen interest in cosmetic dentistry particularly crown and bridge work.
In his private life, Chris enjoys a game of golf and has an keen interest in sailing. He has travelled to many places including Brazil and Malaysia. Chris brings a wealth of experience to Octagon Specialist Centre and is looking forward to welcoming both old and new patients.
Sean O'Hara
We are delighted to welcome implantologist Sean O’Hara .
Sean first became involved in implantology in the late 1980’s. His post graduate implant education includes an intensive 10-month course with one of the world’s leading implantologists and a Diploma and Master's degree from one of the country’s top post-graduate universities.
Sean’s philosophy with implant dentistry is to provide the best outcome in the simplest way in order to achieve the patient’s aims. Some of his cases have been described as "showing excellent aesthetic outcomes and a high degree of competency from the clinician"
Sean is a member of the Association of Dental Implantology, the ITI which is a non-profit academic organisation of clinicians and researchers and he is a tutor and mentor for Straumann, a global leader in implant dentistry and oral tissue regeneration.
Klaudia
We are delighted to welcome Klaudia our Dental Therapist to Smilemakers Orthodontics, one of the rarest members of the dental team, with only approximately 560 on the Dental Roll.
Klaudia started her career in dentistry in 1999 as a trainee dental nurse and qualified in 2000. Klaudia has developed a huge interest in dentistry and worked for two years in a very busy General Dental Practice and an Orthodontic Practice in London. These practices devoted their broad spectrum of services to both NHS and private patients. This allowed Klaudia to gain vast experience in two very different areas of dentistry.
After moving to Southampton in 2001 Klaudia continued to work in Winchester for two years and then applied to Portsmouth University to be one of the first students to study for the BSc in Dental Hygiene and Therapy. She qualified in May 2007 and joined Smilemakers shortly after. 
Lisa
our Clinical Manager and Orthodontic Nurse, qualified as a dental nurse in 2000 having worked in general practice for 2 years before gaining her National Examining Board for Dental Nurses Certificate. In March 2002, she moved into the field of Orthodontics, having developed an interest in this aspect of dentistry. Within a year she had completed a dental radiography course at Nottingham Queens Medical Centre and the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and a year later, gained the Certificate in Orthodontic Nursing at Manchester dental education centre. In January 2006, she moved to Southampton to help establish Smilemakers Orthodontics (Now Octagon dental centre).
Lisa will be undertaking the Royal College of Surgeon's Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy in August and will be one of the first orthodontic therapists to qualify in Hampshire
Kianna
Kianna joined Smilemakers Orthodontics in August 2007 as our trainee Orthodontic Nurse. Previously Kianna was at college studying for her A levels and worked part time as a Field Marketing Consultant. This brought Kianna into contact with people from all different walks of life and allowed her to gain valuable experience dealing with the public.
Kianna is now a fully qualified Dental Nurse and is now looking forward to further study in dental radiography and orthodontic nursing which will allow her to specialise in Orthodontics.
Rachael
Rachael joined Smilemakers Orthodontics in September 2007 as our receptionist and is our newest team member. Previously Rachael has worked in a banking environment in which she gained a wealth of experience working in a customer services role. She enjoys meeting and greeting all of our patients and is greatly looking forward to a new challenge here at Smilemakers.
Rachael has already attended a course at Winchester Hospital and is looking forward to furthering her skills here with us.
Our support team is proud of its stability and professionalism. Team stability also leads to friendship and loyalty, not only to each other, but also to our patients and to the general ethos of the practice.
Samantha McKinney
I first started my career in the dental profession as a dental nurse 21 years ago. During that time, I gained experience in general practice and hospital environments.
I joined Queen Alexandra Hospital maxillofacial unit as a maxillofacial nurse and worked between oral surgery and orthodontics, gaining much knowledge and experience in these fields. In 1997, I then moved to London and completed 2 years at Guys and St. Thomas Dental School gaining a Diploma in Dental Hygiene.
This was an inspiring and exciting time for me as prevention is the key to healthy mouths and with good plaque removal techniques to suit individual patients, patients can experience clean healthy mouths, hopefully all of their lives.
Everyday is a challenge, but also very rewarding. I enjoy my career as a dental hygienist and hopefully with my knowledge and experience, I can make a difference to patient's approach to oral health.
I am very much settled here in Southampton with my young son and partner were we enjoy the great outdoors and travel.
