OUR STAFF
Your Dental Professionals - Here to Serve You
DR. SHAAM SHAMSI
Clinical Director
BDS (Lond), LDS RCS (Eng), FCGDent, FFDT RCS (Ed), MFGDP RCS, PGCTLCP,
FGDP Pg Cert Appr, Pg Cert BAIRD, Dip Med Eths & Law
Shaam qualified from the Royal London in 1994 and is the Principal / Clinical Director of Horizons Dental Centre.
As a former lecturer in the restorative department at Manchester Dental School teaching final year students, he continues to instil this ethos of learning in his current practice.
Shaam has also been involved with Vocational Training since 2001, teaching and mentoring new graduates in practice. In 2008, he was appointed to the post of Training Programme Director in Midlands & East running one of the training schemes at Stafford & Stoke Hospitals. Shaam sits on the Local Dental Committee panel in North Staffordshire and is also involved in examining. He is a former examiner for the Faculty’s MJDF examination and currently leads the Diagnosis & Treatment Planning component for the Overseas Registration examination in London as well as the Royal College of Surgeon's LDS examination. He clinically mento GDPs who have had FTP allegations brought against them. In 2006, he acquired a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ethics and Law and has worked as a Clinical panellist for the GDC’s Dental Complaints Service. He enjoys General Dentistry in particular the field of Implant Dentistry. Shaam works only 1 day a week now clinically limiting his clinical practice due to his other roles in the profession; therefore his waiting lists are extremely long.
He enjoys lecturing especially internationally where has been invited by many overseas institutions to present on a range of clinical disciplines in Dentistry.. His affiliation with the GDC involved sitting as a panellist for the Fitness to Practice procedures adjudicating matters on clinical and professional misconduct. His other roles include Specialist Advisor to the CQC and former board member for Dental Protection Society. Outside dentistry he enjoys sport, travelling, attending the gym and spending time with his wife and 3 children.
In the summer of 2021, due to his passion for the Medico-Legal side of Dentistry, Shaam set up the first ever PG Cert in Dental Risk Mitigation with a colleague which has received significant interest from colleagues in the profession.
GET TO KNOW US
Our Team of Qualified Health Care Providers
Dealing with health issues can be a difficult situation. You shouldn’t have to go it alone. The HORIZONS DENTAL CENTRE team of certified, highly skilled, and experienced care providers always has our patients’ best interests and wellbeing at heart. Meet the faces that are running our Dental Center, and schedule an appointment today.
SHARON TUNSTALL
Practice Manager & Receptionist
Sharon has been with the practice since January 2003. She brings to the practice a wealth of experience of administration and management, coordinating patient registrations and recalls. Sharon enjoys dental nursing and, like her other colleagues, she is a resident in Biddulph, being a familiar friendly face to all patients within the community. Married with 1 daughter and 3 grand-children.
NIKKI WALLEY
Head Dental Nurse
Nikki joined the practice in May 2003 and is also a very experienced dental nurse. Nikki gained her dental nursing qualification in 2005 and is responsible for some practice administration, such as stock control and equipment maintenance. Nikki is well known to all our patients as she has been a resident in Biddulph for the last two decades and is a friendly and familiar face in the neighbourhood! She is married with 1 daughter.
SUE COBDEN
Senior Nurse & Receptionist
Sue has also been with the practice for over 30 years and is a very experienced dental nurse. She has a wealth of experience in the profession and holds a dental nursing qualification, which she gained before moving to North Staffordshire in the early 1980s. Sue holds the fort on reception with Samantha, especially when the practice gets really busy.
MARJOLA KOLOVANI
Dental Nurse
Lola join the practice over 3 years ago and is dedicated nurse working with the whole team, in particular Dr.Shamsi. She is heavily involved with the Implant surgery.
She moved from Croydon, Surrey having worked for a short term in a dental practice there. Prior to this, Lola has been working in Albania, for over 3 years as a dental nurse. She has recently completed her National Qualification for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) to register with the GDC.
SAMANTHA LOVATT
Head Receptionist
Horizons is proud to have Samantha back as their receptionist. Samantha joined the practice over 10 years ago and then took a sabbatical before returning to become a valuable member of Horizons. She comes from an experienced background working in Medical healthcare at reception level. Sam is the first point of contact when patients arrive at reception and is happy to answer any questions you may have. Sam is blessed with 1 daughter and keeps herself active and loves travelling
CLAIRE DEAN
Dental Nurse
Claire joined Horizons over 3 years ago having worked previously in Holmes Chapel. Claire has worked with Dentists and Therapists thus gaining a great start to the profession. She is an all rounder both in surgery and reception.
Claire supports a number of dentists at Horizons and has completed her National Qualification for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) to register with the GDC.
NASREEN ABBASI
Dental Nurse
Nasreen has started with Horizons as a Trainee Dental nurse in September after having accumulated 8 months of experience at a previous practice.. Her passion has always been in dental nursing and she has made a positive start to her role as a nurse. She currently works with on a rotation with all dentists and is working towards her NVQ in dental nursing to register with the GDC.
OUR DENTISTS
DR. RABIA SALAH-UD-DIN
GDC NO 281257
BDSÂ UNIVERSITY OF PAKISTANÂ 2005,
MPHILÂ UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTERÂ 2016
General Dentist
Rabia joined the practice in September 2019 having completed her MPhil in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Manchester in 2016.
She has a calm, warm and reassuring attitude to her patient management and has become a valuable member of the team.
Rabia works mainly in the morning sessions at the practice as she is married and has 2 young children. Outside Dentistry she has a passion for meeting friends and travelling, and above all cooking exquisite dishes.
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DR. LORANT VAZAN
GDC NO 326858
BDS BRISTOL
General Dentist
Lorant graduated from the University of Bristol's renowned Dental School and is passionate about delivering exceptional, patient centred care. With a keen interest in oral surgery and facial aesthetics, including Botox, they combine clinical precision with a gentle, reassuring approach. Dedicated to ongoing learning, Lorant looks forward to helping every patient achieve a healthy, confident smile.
DR. REBECCA THORLEY
BDS LIVERPOOL
GDC NO 327374
General Dentist
Becky graduated as a dentist from the University of Liverpool in the summer of 2025 and has stayed on at the practice after her foundation year. She enjoys getting to know her patients and is passionate about providing care in a friendly and understanding way. She has a very calm, bedside manner and made an excellent impact on patients already. She has developed a special interest in Botox and Aesthetic fillers. Outside of dentistry, Becky enjoys going to Pilates, walking her dog, catching up with friends and visiting countries abroad.
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DR. ANDREW SHAW
BChD LEEDS
GDC NO 329320
General Dentist
Andrew graduated from the University of Leeds in 2025 and after completing his foundation training year in the West Midlands scheme has joined the Horizons dental team 2 days a week.
He has a relaxed reassuring manner and ensures patients needs and aspirations are met by providing high quality dentistry.
Andrew enjoys restorative dentistry- particularly endodontics and also oral surgery.
Outside of work Andrew enjoys alpine sports, golfing and travelling.
DR. MARIAM ALGHABRA
BDS BRISTOL
GDC NO 336751
General Dentist
Mariam recently graduated as a dentist from the University of Bristol in the summer of 2026 and has made a promising start to her initial training. She just loves talking to her patients, understanding their needs and works to alleviate any anxieties patients may have about their treatments.
Being a local girl from the area, she is softly spoken and has blended very well with the team. She has a reall talent for baking and is already spoiling the Horizons team of her treats !
Charlotte Fazal DHT
Charlotte our Hygienist & Therapist, graduated from University of Newcastle in 2015. Prior to pursuing this qualification, she acquired her dental nurse training and qualification with Dr.Shamsi and his team.
Charlotte provides her services once a month due to working at several practices but is very much in demand when she is at Horizons.
Charlotte is married with 2 beautiful little girls.
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Alisha Hussain DHT
Alisha, our Hygienist & Therapist, graduated from University of Leeds in 2024 and was nominated for the School of Dentistry Award for “Going Above and Beyond.” She is dedicated to helping patients feel at ease while providing restorative and periodontal care with personalised oral hygiene advice. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.
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