About Cherrybank Dental Spa

Our mission is to deliver *pain free dentistry to the people of Edinburgh
Every member of the Cherrybank Dental team is devoted to ensuring that their skills and knowledge remain at the forefront of dentistry, so we can deliver the best *pain free dentistry in Edinburgh.
Many first-time dentistry patients to Cherrybank are amazed and reassured by our approach. We often have patients tell us that they have a feeling their previous dentist experiences of quick visits for a ‘check-up’ are taking a ‘patch-up’ approach to their mouths, which may not be the best in the long-term. Technology and preventive science have come a long way in dentistry.
Meet your *Pain Free Dentists

Chris McCrudden
Chris qualified from Dundee Dental School in 1999. He joined The Cherrybank team in 2007. His goal is simply to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible whilst under his care.
His passion for cosmetic dentistry has led him to undertake countless professional development courses both in the UK and around the world, to keep up with the everchanging face of modern dentistry.
Some of these are as follows :
- Master’s Certificate in Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry from the Rosenthal Institute New York
- Six Months Smiles Certification, *Invisalign Certification
- Dental Implantology from Cambridge Academy of Implantology
- The AO4 Concept with the Malo Clinic Portugal.
He also has a special interest in Endodontics (root canal treatment) for which he uses the latest operating microscope and rotary instruments.
He is a member of :
- The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- The British Endodontic Society
- The International Team for Implantology ITI
- The Association of Dental Implantology

Umair Mohammed
Umair graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Dundee University in 2010 and shortly after moved to Edinburgh to begin his dental career.
After two years of further training in a busy general practice, as well as in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline and Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy he travelled to Australia to continue his professional development, returning to Edinburgh a year later.
Umair is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (MFDS RCS Edi). He also has a postgraduate certificate in Sports Dentistry from the UCL Dental Institute Eastman (London) and will be the first cohort of students to commence the prestigious MSc Sports Dentistry programme at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London in September 2019.
Umair is affiliated with Edinburgh and Scotland Rugby, Cricket Scotland and Heart of Midlothian Football Club, providing a helping hand on match days and ensuring players remain dentally fit and addressing any dental concerns that the athletes have.
Umair’s main area of interest within dentistry is to provide minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry and is trained to provide popular cosmetic orthodontic systems from Invisalign, Quick Straight Teeth and Cfast.
Away from dentistry Umair is married and has recently had his first child in June 2019. A keen cricketer, he has represented Scotland gaining two caps. He continues to play and is captain of Forfarshire Cricket Club.

Nik Vourakis
Dr Vourakis special interest and main qualification is in Oral Implantology while he has wide experience in all forms of dentistry.
Nik has been a practicing dental surgeon since 2005 after graduating from the prestigious Military Academy Medical School at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece.For 2 years undertook training at Oral and Maxillofacial Department in 401 Military Hospital in Athens. As a military dental surgeon, he then went on to serve as a team leader in a field hospital in Afghanistan from 2006-2007 -an experience which shaped his commitment and dedication to his chosen field.
On returning to Greece, opened his own private dental practice which he ran with great success from 2007 -2016, specializing in oral surgery implants and aesthetic dentistry. Since early 2017Nik is practicing oral surgery in private clinics in Edinburgh and London.
Nik has regularly and dedicatedly attended further education programs, seminars, workshops and courses both nationally and internationally. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Oral Implantology from Ethnikon Kapodistriakon University of Athens and a Master of Science Degree(MSc) in Oral Implantology from Goethe University of Frankfurt Germany. These masterclass courses involved a variety of procedures ranging from master courses in bone grafting and sinus surgery grafting procedures through soft tissue management to Implantology, prosthetics and dental aesthetics.
Since 2018 he has started a mentoring program for general dentists in Oral Implantology and he is an opinion leader for DENTSPLY Sirona. He is a registered ITI member. In 2018 he was a finalist for Dentist of the Year The Dental Awards UK.

Elaine Halley
Dr. Elaine Halley is a highly trained and experienced general and cosmetic dentist who attracts patients from Perth, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Fife, Dundee, and all over Scotland. In order to maintain her knowledge of the very latest in general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and spa treatments, she is a member of:
- British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry – Accredited Member
- The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- British Dental Association
- Association of Dental Implantology (UK)
- British Dental Health Foundation
Dr. Elaine Halley has completed master’s level work in advanced cosmetic dentistry as taught at the Rosenthal Institute in New York – the first cosmetic dentist in Scotland to have done so. She is also an instructor of advanced cosmetic dentistry at the Eastman Dental Hospital in London.
Dr. Halley is also the only dentist in Scotland to achieve Accreditation to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Currently, there are only a handful of clinicians country-wide who have managed to attain this prestigious award, making Dr Halley’s achievement all the more exceptional.
Dr. Halley is in demand not only as a cosmetic dentist in Scotland, but also internationally as a lecturer, both to dentists and to business owners. She serves on the Editorial Board for the national dental journals Private Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry and she is a judge for the Private Dentistry annual awards.

Rami Al Laham
In January 2023, Rami joined the White Pearl team as a dental therapist, providing care to a diverse range of patients in both private and NHS settings. This role allowed him to familiarize himself with the UK dental system while preparing for his qualification as a fully licensed dentist.
After successfully passing the overseas examination, Rami began practicing as a dentist, working alongside clinical director Bob McLelland to ensure exceptional patient care. Together, they focus on delivering a seamless patient journey and achieving optimal outcomes for every case.

Lisa Lee
Lisa is a General Dental Practitioner with international training and experience in both Spain and the UK. Originally from Taiwan, Lisa earned her Bachelor of Dentistry from Cardinal Herrera University CEU in 2023.
She began her dental career in the UK in 2024, working in Nottingham before relocating to Edinburgh in 2025.In addition to her clinical experience, Lisa volunteered for two years with the Red Cross dental assistance program in Spain. These experiences have shaped her empathetic, adaptable, and patient-centred approach.
Her goal is to deliver comprehensive dental care by helping patients achieve stable oral health and educating them on preventive measures, while building long-term, trust-based relationships.
Meet the *Pain Free support team

Linzi
With over 27 years in the dental industry, I’ve had the privilege of building my career from the ground up and gaining a real understanding of both patient care and practice operations along the way. I qualified as a Dental Nurse in 2001 and progressed into a Practice Manager role in 2010, which has given me a well-rounded perspective of how successful dental practices support both their patients and their teams.
Over the years, I’ve worked across several practices and led teams of different sizes. I enjoy helping practices run smoothly — from day-to-day operations and regulatory compliance to creating a welcoming patient experience. For me, a great practice is one where patients feel cared for and the team feels valued and supported.
As the HIS Registered Manager at Cherrybank Dental Spa, I’m responsible for ensuring high standards of governance, safety, and service. I’m passionate about putting clear, effective systems in place while also building a positive, collaborative workplace where everyone feels confident in their role and proud of the care they provide.
Colleagues often describe me as organised, supportive, and easy to talk to. I believe good leadership is about listening, working together, and creating an environment where people can do their best work.
Outside of work, I enjoy going for walks with my husband and our dog. I also love home decorating — if I’m not in the middle of a project, I’m usually planning the next one!

Tammy
Hi, I’m Tammy and I’m one of the smile advisors here at Cherrybank. I’ve worked here since 2013 and previously worked on our front desk. I love helping nervous patients to gain the confidence to overcome any nerves or anxiety. There’s nothing better than seeing the transformation from start to finish!
I studied English Literature after leaving school, so love reading in my spare time. I also enjoy cooking, going out for food and drinks with my boyfriend and catching up with friends.
I’m originally from Northern Ireland and try to get back as much as possible to visit my family there.

Shufan
A graduate from The University of Edinburgh with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, Shufan soon realised being a scientist wasn’t quite for her! Shufan joined our team in 2021, attracted by the practice’s strong ethos on teamwork and providing patient care in a stress-free environment . She enjoys meeting new patients, working alongside the fantastic clinical support team and Pain Free Dentists.
She is also committed to giving patients the highest standards of service and opportunities for our talented team to excel.
Always keen to flex her culinary skills, Shufan enjoys being a volunteer cook for her local neighbourhood food-sharing project.
Outside of work, you’ll also find her cycling about town or dining out with friends.

Kirsty
Hello, I’m Kirsty and I’m one of the Dental Therapists here at Cherrybank. I have worked here since 2014 and previously worked as a dental nurse.
I am extremely passionate about working with our patients, nervous or not, to gain and maintain great oral hygiene. I love travelling and going on holidays.
When at home I am a big foodie and love cooking. I studied Dramatic arts when I was younger and enjoy going to see films and performances at the theatre.

Shannon
Shannon graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2024 and has been working in Dundee as a Dental Therapist. She’s now excited to return to Edinburgh and continue supporting patients on their journey to healthier, more confident smiles.
Outside of the clinic, Shannon enjoys staying active – whether it’s at the gym, hiking, or running. She’s outgoing, loves to travel, and is always keen to explore new cultures and experiences. We can’t wait for you to meet her!

Danya
Danya is a registered Dental Therapist with over 10 years of experience in general dentistry. She earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Aleppo University, followed by postgraduate training in paediatric dentistry, and began her career in Saudi Arabia before relocating to Edinburgh in 2021.
Since gaining her GDC registration, Danya has provided preventive, periodontal, restorative, and aesthetic dental care to patients of all ages. She’s known for her gentle, calming approach and is committed to ongoing professional development.
Outside of work, Danya enjoys family life in Edinburgh with her husband, Molham, and their two children, often spending her days off swimming, hiking, cooking, or exploring local spots like the zoo.

Raluca Badminton
Luca is one of our dental nurses here at Cherrybank Dental Spa. Luca qualified in 2017 with an NEBDN Diploma. Luca likes working alongside our dentists and looking after the wellbeing of patients during their treatments. She has a particular interest in cosmetic and surgical procedures.
In her spare time Luca likes spending time with her family and enjoys being outdoors.

Rhiannon
I joined the Cherrybank Dental Spa team in October 2025 and have over five years of experience working as a dental nurse. I’m passionate about helping patients feel relaxed and comfortable during their visits and enjoy playing a part in creating a warm, friendly atmosphere within the practice.
I have a particular interest in surgical and cosmetic treatments and love being part of a team that helps patients feel more confident in their smiles.
Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, relaxing with a good book, and spending time discovering great food and cocktails.

Oliwia
I’m Oliwia, a trainee dental nurse here at Cherrybank Dental Spa. I’m passionate about providing excellent patient care and supporting our team to ensure every visit is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. I’m currently expanding my knowledge and skills through hands-on experience and training, and I’m excited to grow within such a supportive and forward-thinking practice. I enjoy being part of a team that prioritises patient wellbeing and high standards in dental care.

Briana
Briana is a Canadian-born beauty professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry and 15 years in customer service. Originally from Ontario, she fell in love with Edinburgh on her visits and made the move to Scotland in 2022. Known for her bubbly personality and outgoing nature, Briana thrives in creative spaces—especially anything involving makeup artistry and costume design.
When she’s not bringing beauty ideas to life, you’ll likely find her curled up with a good book or enjoying a cocktail at a cozy bar (always a night in over a night out kind of vibe).

Ella
I’m Ella and I work as Front of House here at Cherrybank Edinburgh. Before joining the team, I worked as a supervisor in a hotel reception, where I developed a real passion for customer service and creating a warm, welcoming environment for everyone I meet.
I love spending time with my friends, whether that’s going out for food, socialising, or making the most of weekends together. I’m also passionate about fitness and enjoy going to the gym to keep active and challenge myself.
I love meeting new people, having a chat, and bringing a positive attitude to everything I do. I’m delighted to be part of the fantastic team at Cherrybank and look forward to welcoming and supporting our patients every day!

Sophie
I’m Sophie and I’m part of the Front of House team here at Cherrybank Edinburgh. I’m originally from the Highlands and studied Psychology and Sociology at university.
Before joining Cherrybank, I worked as an Autism Practitioner, which I really enjoyed as I’ve always loved helping and supporting others.
I’m a bubbly and happy person and love meeting new people! Outside of work, I love nothing more than settling down with a good book — reading is definitely my favourite way to unwind. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family, and I’m a big fan of musicals and love going to see them whenever I get the chance!
Our *Pain Free Certified Team
Nik Vourakis
Nik Vourakis is a Certified *Pain Free Dentist Click Here to Verify
Umair Mohammed
Umair Mohammed is a Certified *Pain Free Dentist Click Here to Verify
Chris McCrudden
Chris McCrudden is a Certified *Pain Free Dentist Click Here to Verify
Kirsty Gilhooley
Kirsty Gilhooley is a Certified *Pain Free Therapist Click Here to Verify


