Meet the team

At Westhill Dental & Implant Clinic our highly skilled, friendly team shares the same single vision: we put you first. Together, we are dedicated to providing you with a first class experience, from the comfort of our reception to the very latest innovations in dental technology. We make sure you have the best possible care from the second you walk through the door.

Find out more about each of our practice team members below.

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Aidan M McKenna

Dentist
BDS (Dund) 1997, MFGDP (UK) 2001
GDC No. 62863

Aidan was born in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim. He is the youngest of eight children. His mother was a fishmonger and his father a farmer. After attending school in Ballymoney at St. Brigid’s Primary and Dalriada Grammar, he qualified with a Batchelor of Dental Surgery degree from Dundee in 1987.

Before coming to Westhill, Aberdeenshire in 1993, Aidan worked in general dental practice in Alnwick and Newcastle for six months followed by a five year spell in Dunfermline in Fife.

In August 1998 Aidan and his wife Maria bought Westhill Dental Practice from Graeme Cruickshank and five years later, moved the practice location to its permanent home at Fir Lodge.

Aidan obtained his Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practice, (Royal College of Surgeons) in 2001. He followed this up by completing his Diploma in Restorative Dentistry (Royal College of Surgeons) in Manchester in 2008 and was awarded the gold medal for best student.

In addition to general dental practice, Aidan teaches final year dental students at Aberdeen Dental Hospital & Institute of Dentistry.

He has previously been both Treasurer and Chairperson of Aberdeen Local Dental Committee.

He is a full time father to three expensive and untidy children.

In his spare time he likes to walk, golf and do manly jobs at his home/croft/small holding where he is an unpaid stable boy/shepherd. He is also a Radio 4 and Archers addict. A lover of ‘dad jokes’, country music and ‘amdram’, Aidan is a regular performer in his local panto every December. Ever the diva, he insists that a poem or song of his choosing, is performed by him every year!

Aidan and Maria are very proud to have joined Portman Dental Care in December 2019. Aidan does not normally work with a full beard!

Maria A McKenna

Dentist
BDS (Dund) 1987
GDC No. 62845

Maria qualified with a Batchelor of Dental Surgery degree from Dundee in 1987. In August 1998 Maria and her husband Aidan bought Westhill Dental Practice and five years later, moved the practice location to its permanent home here at Fir Lodge. Since 1998 the practice has been an integral part of daily life for Maria and her family.

Maria enjoys all aspects of her work as a dentist especially welcoming and reassuring her patients both old and new.

In her spare time Maria enjoys riding and currently exercises her daughter’s horse whilst she is at university. She also enjoys gardening, cooking and entertaining both family and friends

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Julia L Conquest

Dentist
BDS (Dund) 1997
GDC No. 73358

Julia is a graduate of Dundee Dental School and completed her vocational training in Fraserburgh Aberdeenshire.

She started to work at Westhill Dental Practice as an associate in 1998, when the practice was in the centre of Westhill. Following a career break, she returned to the practice in its current location.

Julia’s clinical interests are root canal treatment, crown and bridge restorations, chrome and acrylic dentures, veneers, cosmetic composite build-ups and silensor-sl anti-snoring device. Additionally, Julia undertakes routine fillings, extractions and children’s dentistry for the children of registered parents.

For Julia, the best part of her job is seeing not only new patients but those who are returning year after year for their oral health care.

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Mark McCue

Dentist
GDC No. 147921

Mark graduated from Dundee Dental School in 2008. He completed his vocational training in Dundee prior to working in Australia and New Zealand. He then worked at with us at Westhill for three years before leaving in 2016 to travel and return to New Zealand for a year. This turned into 8 years before returning to his native Aberdeen with his young family. He started working here again in July 2024.

Mark enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with an interest in root canal treatment and composite bonding. He is about to start clear aligner training.

Outside of dentistry Mark enjoys spending time with his family, watching football and attempting to play golf when he gets the chance.

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Shahab Rahman

Restorative Dentist
BDS (Mysore) 2002, MFDS RCS (Edin) 2007, Statutory Exam 2008
GDC No. 139194

Shahab graduated from the University of Mysore, India in 2001. He moved to the U.K to pursue his post graduate studies and completed his MSc in Restorative Dentistry from the University of Newcastle in 2004.

Shahab has been working in the Restorative Dentistry Department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and latterly at Aberdeen Dental School and Hospital since 2004. He worked as a Senior House Officer from 2004-2007 and has been Specialty Dentist in the department since 2007. He has been with us at the Westhill Dental Practice since 2012 providing Restorative specialist level care for patients in our practice.

Following Shahab’s MSc in Restorative Dentistry in 2004, he went on to do his Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS RCS Ed) from the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh). During his MSc, he carried out endodontic research looking at various irrigants in immature teeth. This was published in an international peer reviewed journal.

Shahab provides comprehensive specialist level care for patients in Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics and Implantology. His special interests are broadly related to Endodontics and Prosthodontics including Implantology. In Implantology, he has experience in both Straumann and Nobel Biocare systems and has been placing implants for over 12 years. In Prosthodontics his interests are full mouth rehabilitation including restoring severe tooth wear / tooth surface loss cases and complex denture cases including overdentures.

Shahab is actively involved in the Managed Clinical Network providing training for dentists who have a special interest in Endodontics. He also runs a One stop endodontic clinic at the Dental Hospital where he sees patients with endodontic related problems. The treatments he provides include post removals, perforation repairs, Re-RCT, removal of fractured instruments, and negotiating sclerosed canals. He has also been involved in developing the Head and Neck Restorative Service at the hospital and lectures on the Effects of Radiotherapy to the Oral Environment to the local dental community.

He is a member of the British Society of Prosthodontists, British Society of Periodontology and the International Team for Implantology (ITI).

In his spare time Shahab enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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Audrey Kershaw

Oral Surgeon
FDS RCS (Edin) 1991, BDS (Glas) 1987
GDC No. 62146

Audrey qualified from Glasgow University with BDS in 1987 and since then has predominantly been employed in Oral Surgery posts. She is on the GDC specialist list and has over 30 years’ experience in Oral Surgery.

She is available for referral of patients with Oral Surgery needs including but not limited to:

• Wisdom tooth removal • Surgical extractions • Soft tissue biopsy • Anxious and phobic patients • Medically complex patients

Patients will be seen by Audrey within Westhill Dental Practice and we aim to offer all patients an appointment within a maximum of 2 weeks of referral date.

In her spare time Audrey enjoys time with friends and family including her 2 dogs!

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Donna Riddell

Hygienist
CEB Dip Dent Hygiene 1992
GDC No. 4334

Donna grew up in Aberdeenshire and left Alford Academy to train as a dental nurse. She subsequently qualified as a Dental Hygienist from Dundee in 1992.

Donna has worked in many practices across Aberdeenshire before joining Westhill Dental Practice.

She enjoys keeping up-to-date with current thinking, fulfilling General Dental Council requirements for Continuing Professional Development.

Aside from dentistry, she has worked as an Exercise Instructor, taken courses in Nutrition and Psychology and loves good coffee, baking and running.

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Lesley Findlay

Lead Dental Nurse
Qual- National Certificate NEBDN 1999
GDC No. 119867

Lesley has been a dental nurse since leaving school in the summer of 1996 so has many years of experience working in both NHS & private practices.

She particularly enjoys leading our great team of nurses & working chairside when Shahab is placing implants.

When not working she loves nothing more than getting stuck in to another 'upcycle' or DIY project or going to see her favourite bands.

She also enjoys travelling whether it be camping in Scotland, holidays abroad or visiting family in Northern Ireland.

Westhill-Kimberly-Fraser

Kimberley Fraser

Dental Nurse

NEBDN National Certificate 2012
GDC No. 233851

I have been a dental nurse since 2008. When working at Westhill Dental and Implant Clinic you will normally find me working alongside Julia, Audrey and Shahab. Assisting in complex treatment cases is my favourite. In my spare time I enjoy going on holiday, being an Auntie and eating out.

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Claire Strachan

Dental Nurse
SVQ in Dental Nursing at SCQF level 7 SQA 2019
GDC No. 281484

Claire qualified as a dental nurse in 2018 having previously worked in the oil industry. She is mum to her 11 year old daughter and has 2 Labradors called Luna & Cali. In any spare time she enjoys spending time with family and walking her dogs.

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Vicki Riley

Dental Nurse
GDC No. 110813

I qualified in 2004 & I enjoy working with nervous patients & children. I have an interest in orthodontics. Mum to 2 teenage kids, enjoys reading & walks with my family.

Abigail Stuart

Dental Nurse
GDC No. 296835

I started training to be a dental nurse in 2019 qualified in 2021.

In my spare time I enjoy tinkering with cars, spending time with family and going on walks with my dog.

Nairne MacIntosh

Trainee Dental Nurse

Nairne has been with practice a little over a year and is currently training to become a Dental Nurse. She is an avid music fan and when not at work, will more than likely be found at a live gig, spending time with her friends. Nairne enjoys baking and may not be good at it, but it is the thought that counts.

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Frances Collie

Receptionist

I have been a Dental Receptionist for over 16 years and joined Westhill Dental & Implant Clinic in Sept 2020. I enjoy my job as it allows me to meet lots of different People. Westhill Is a great place to work as we have a fantastic team here.

When not in work I love spending time with my two grandsons, family & friends. I enjoy eating out, going on holiday, gardening, and going for nice walks with my husband.

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Pauline Anderson

Receptionist

Pauline has been with the practice since October 2023 and loves being front of house and enjoys meeting and greeting our patients and along with her colleagues on reception, they strive to make your visit to the practice as welcoming and pleasant as possible.

In her spare time Pauline loves socialising with her friends and family & loves walking her dog Jack, the Jack Russell. She also loves gardening and along with her colleagues has enjoyed help care for the garden at the practice and encourages visits from the wild birds and red squirrels' by looking after the feeders regularly.

Westhill Jillian Christie

Jillian Christie

Receptionist

Jillian joined the Practice in July 2023 and, alongside working on Reception, has trained as a Decontamination Nurse.

In her spare time, she enjoys bowling (indoor, outdoor and short mat) and spending time with her ponies, dogs and tortoise. Baking is also a favourite past-time with her colleagues enjoying sampling her homebakes.

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Sarah Richards

Practice Manager

Sarah recently started with the practice and has over 18 years’ experience in the Dental Industry at a Senior Level. Sarah is also a Qualified Dental Nurse.

When not leading this great team at Westhill Dental and Implant Clinic, Sarah spends time with her young family.

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    Portman Dental Care Awards

    Dental Industry Award - Portman Dental Care
    Award Logo 2018
    Fmc Logo 2019 Winner Oby M25
    The Dentistry Awards - Portman Dental Care
    Private Dentistry Awards - Portman Dental Care
    Elite Practice Award - Portman Dental Care