Our Team

Our commitment to our patients is to provide the highest standard of care along with the best possible results; that process starts with having an incredible team. Each of our team members is constantly undergoing training to further their knowledge to be able to better assist you.

Our orthodontists

You’ll feel confident with your treatment when you meet our qualified and competent team of orthodontists passionate about achieving the best smile possible for each of their patients.

Dr Pieter Van Heerden

Dr Pieter van Heerden

Specialist Orthodontist

BChD(Pret), MDent(Orth), MChD(Orth), Specialist in Orthodontics GDC 66417, fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists

Dr Pieter van Heerden qualified as a dentist in 1984 and an orthodontist in 1992 at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He completed his MChD in 1992 and moved to the UK. He worked as an associate in St Albans from 1993 and became principal of the same practice in 1998. He founded Harpenden Orthodontic Practice in 1999.

Dr Van Heerden is a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontics and member of the BOS, AAO and European Aligner Society. He trained with Dr Dwight Damon, the inventor of the Damon system. He is a well known international speaker and has lectured extensively worldwide.

Dr Pieter (Bob) Esterhuysen

Dentist with a special interest in orthodontics

BMedSci, BChD, Dip.Odont. Orthodontics (Pret.) PGA Orth. (LDS), MClinDent Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (BPP). Dentist with a Special Interest, GDC 70507

Pieter obtained a degree in Medical Research in 1991 and went on to study dentistry graduating in 1995 with a BChD degree. Pieter has always had a passion for orthodontics and the difference it can make in a person’s life. After 10 years in general dental practice and working part time in Harpenden Orthodontics for over four years, Pieter joined the team as a full time member of the clinical staff in 2005. It was in this year that Pieter was awarded with a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthodontics. He has continued his post graduate training and obtained a PostGraduate Award in Orthodontics in 2017. He furthered his studies by embarking on a Masters degree program. Pieter was awarded the MClinDent degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics in 2019. He is a member of the British Orthodontic Society and British Dental Association. One of Pieter’s interests is Dental Sleep Medicine where he aims to help patients sleep better and snore less. He is a member of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine.

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Dr. Noor Al-Mansouri

Specialist in Orthodontics

BDS, M.Sc. Orth RCS(Eng) GDC 206824

Noor qualified as a dental surgeon in 2001. After teaching and holding several hospital appointments, she trained for three years at the Eastman Dental Hospital. During those three years, Noor gained a Masters in Orthodontics from University College London and later qualified with a membership in orthodontics from the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS (Eng)). Noor joined Harpenden Orthodontics in 2014. She is a lecturer at the Faculty of Dentistry at the RCS (Eng). Noor is passionate about treating children and adults with a variety of orthodontic appliances. Outside of work Noor enjoys spending time with her family and when time allows horse riding.

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Dr Adewale (Addie) Akinwale

Dentist with a special interest in orthodontics

BEng (London), Grad Odonto., BDS (Valencia) PGCert Clinical Orthodontics (Ulster), GDC 266300

Addie obtained an Engineering degree in Dental Materials before going on to qualify as a Dentist. Addie has always loved orthodontics and believes that a smile is the best accessory a person can wear. Addie takes care to use her skillset and knowledge to get the best results for her patients. Addie is especially good with nervous patients making them feel relaxed and at ease.

Addie joined Harpenden Orthodontics after working for almost 7 years in specialist orthodontic practice where she has focused on the clinical practice of both children and adults in a specialist orthodontic setting and including the training of orthodontic nurses and therapists. Addie is currently on the Orthodontic Masters programme at the University of Ulster, College of Medicine and Dentistry.

Outside of work Addie enjoys travelling, reading and is very good at cooking and baking. Addie also enjoys languages and other cultures, she is fluent in Spanish and is picking up conversational French again.

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Orthodontists

Our staff

Our friendly staff will make you feel right at home when you visit us at Harpenden Orthodontics. With the help of all the team members below, our practice runs smoothly and our patients are treated with world-class care.

Mary McGovern

Practice Manager

GDC 106768

Mary McGovern has been working in dentistry for over twenty years. She helps to ensure the smooth day to day running of the practice, providing support to the dental team and ensuring compliance with all guidelines and regulations, she is registered with the General Dental Council.

Mary is always available to give help and advise to our patients and is happy to answer any questions you may have. She welcomes all feedback.

Treatment Coordinator

Sophie Martin

Treatment Coordinator

GDC 257332

Sophie has been part of the Harpenden Orthodontics team since 2016 and became treatment coordinator in 2018. Sophie is a fully qualified dental nurse and has her certificate in dental radiography. She is here to guide you through every step of your treatment and will be here to greet you at your initial consultation and answer any questions you may have.

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Amber Plenty

Treatment Coordinator

Amber joined the team at Harpenden Orthodontics in 2017. She also works in our St Albans Practice guiding patients through every step of their treatment.

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Admin and Reception Staff

Colleen Simmons

Admin and reception staff

GDC 140692

Alison Rosen

Admin and reception staff

Alison Rosen

Admin and reception staff

Alexa Nitso

Admin and reception staff

Brooke Wright

Admin and reception staff

Orthodontic Therapists

Claire Moore

Orthodontic Therapist

GDC 110679, NEBDN, Dip Orth Therapy RCS Edin

Claire joined Harpenden Orthodontics in 2003 as an Orthodontic Nurse. She then went on to become Private Orthodontic Nurse for Dr Pieter van Heerden and Senior Orthodontic Nurse. In 2005, she gained her NVQ level 3 in Dental Nursing; her Certificate in Dental Radiography 2011and in 2010 she qualified in Oral Health Education. In 2011 Claire won one of just 16 places at the University of Central Lancashire to study for her diploma in Orthodontic Therapy and obtained her diploma in Orthodontic Therapy from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in July 2012.

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Eloise van Heerden

Orthodontic Therapist

GDC 253234, NEBDN. Dip Orth Therapy Warwick

Eloise joined Harpenden Orthodontics in 2012 and initially spent time in the management and treatment co-ordinator teams. In 2014, she gained her diploma in Dental Nursing. She completed her Certificate in Dental Radiography and Certificate in Orthodontic Nursing in 2015. Eloise won a place at Warwick University, one of just 10 available, and graduated with her Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy in August 2016 and received an outstanding student award.

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Louise McLeod

Orthodontic Therapist

GDC 259430, NEBDN. Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy in June 2021

Louise joined Harpenden Orthodontics in 2013. In 2015, she gained her diploma in Dental Nursing. She completed her Certificate in Dental Radiography in 2016 and Certificate in Orthodontic Nursing in 2019. Louise has won one of just 10 places to study Orthodontic Therapy in Leamington Spa.

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Sophie Cheung

Trainee orthodontic therapist

GDC 270140
Diploma in Dental Nursing Level 3 QCF 2017, BDA Radiography 2019, Orthodontic Nursing 2021

Sophie joined Harpenden Orthodontics in 2017 as a Dental Nurse. She gained her Certificate in Dental Radiography in 2018 and Certificate in Orthodontic Nursing in 2021. Sophie has won a place to study Orthodontic Therapy in Leamington Spa.

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Orthodontic Therapists