Meet the Surgeons
Tanya Lommerse
Read Tanya's Biography
Registered Oral Surgery Specialist
Registered with GDC 81858
Tanya is a Specialist Oral Surgeon and has spent most of her career, over 15 years, in Oral Surgery. She graduated from Newcastle Dental School in 2003 and moved to Cornwall to complete her formal dental training, working for a year in General Dental Practice in Wadebridge. With a strong preference for a career in Oral surgery, she accepted a post working as a Senior House Officer in the Oral and Maxillofacial Department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. This was soon followed by a Specialty Doctor post in early 2006. She has continued to work in the department, having progressed to an Associate Specialist in 2018, recognising her inclusion on the Oral Surgery Specialist List and eligibility for Consultant position.
Whilst in this post, Tanya has continued her extensive training, gaining a wealth of experience in the full remit of oral surgery. This includes the provision of complex oral surgery procedures, the treatment of oral conditions and facial pain, treatment of patients under local anaesthesia, sedation and general anaesthesia in addition to hospital patient management. As part of her training, Tanya completed postgraduate examinations to become a member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh in 2006. She was admitted by the GDC to the Oral Surgery Specialist list in 2013.
Over the last fifteen years, Tanya has completed numerous professional courses including a Diploma in Pain Management Therapy, Acupuncture qualifications and extensive Botox training. She has also obtained an Award in Advanced Skin Science.
Tanya has developed a keen interest in supporting anxious patients and using acupuncture alongside conventional treatment to ease patient anxiety. She also uses acupuncture to treat those who suffer from dry mouth, particularly patients who have undergone head and neck radiotherapy, as well as those suffering from myo-fascial pain (TMD) in the head and neck region. To this end she runs a regular acupuncture clinic at Royal Cornwall Hospital. Tanya also specializes in the treatment of children who require orthodontic related extractions and works closely with the Orthodontic team.
Tanya enjoys teaching and is a Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at Peninsula Dental School, Truro. She is also a Clinical Supervisor and the Educational Supervisor for Dental Core trainees at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
As Clinical Governance Lead for Oral and Facial Surgery, Tanya is committed to patient care and safety. She is also involved in the triaging of all oral surgery referrals at the referral management centre and is therefore well placed to ensure Oral surgery care for NHS patients is optimized.
In her spare time, Tanya enjoys the Cornish outdoors, either on land or out on the water with her husband and two children.
Accredited Memberships:
Member of Faculty of Dental Surgery at Royal College Surgeons Edinburgh
Member British Association Oral Surgeons
Member British Dental Association
Andrew Birnie
Read Andrew's Biography
Consultant Oral Surgeon GDC 77987
Originally from Northern Ireland, Andrew qualified from Dundee University in 2000. Since then, he has spent the majority of his career in Oral Surgery. He now works as a Consultant Oral Surgeon at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
Following graduation, he spent twelve months in general dental practice in Fife before spending a year living and working in Australia. He moved back to Dundee to take up a post as a Senior House Officer in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and in 2003, Cornwall beckoned.
Initially working as a Senior House Officer and then progressing to Staff Grade in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Andrew completed his membership exam at the dental faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh in 2004. After gaining further training and experience, he completed the tri-collegiate specialty exam in Oral Surgery in 2013. He has worked as a Consultant Oral Surgeon in Cornwall since 2016.
Andrew has considerable training and experience across the whole remit of oral surgery in both hospital and dental practice settings. He manages the implant clinic at the hospital for the dental rehabilitation of oncology/facial trauma patients. He also has a special interest in the surgical exposure/removal of impacted teeth as part of orthodontic treatment plans. Andrew understands that people are often anxious about surgical procedures but believes that they can be a positive experience for most patients. He runs a sedation clinic at the hospital designed for those who are nervous.
With a current departmental leadership role at the hospital and involvement in the Managed Clinical Network (MCN) for Oral Surgery in SW England, Andrew is well positioned at the cutting edge of Oral Surgery practice and policy.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time in the beautiful Cornish outdoors with his wife and four young children.
Member of Faculty of Dental Surgeons Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
Member of British Association of Oral Surgeons
Our Location
Waterside Dentalcare is a uniquely located dental practice renowned for its commitment to dental excellence in Cornwall. The practice is situated only a few metres from the sea. The calm and relaxing environment is enhanced by friendly, experienced and highly trained team members.
The dentists who work there are a hand-picked group of highly qualified colleagues who trust and rely on each other with the ultimate goal of providing expert patient care.
The practice is very well equipped with the appropriate advances in dental technology to deliver excellent outcomes for patients. This includes the use of digital 2D and 3D x-ray imaging, 3D digital impression scanning, and other more patient-friendly devices and techniques to reduce the amount of post-treatment discomfort and gain optimal healing.
There is free parking outside the practice, which is situated between BMW Ocean and Lidl on Falmouth Road in Penryn.
Please click here for further details on directions or call them on 01326 378969 or email reception@watersidedentalcare.co.uk
For further information regarding the practice please click here.
Our Policy
At Precision Oral Surgery we are committed to providing the highest quality of care, with patients at the centre of the whole process.
We understand the necessity of good communication and there will always be a complete discussion of treatment options, costs, potential side effects and plenty of opportunity for questions.
Referring practitioners will be kept informed regarding treatment provided and once all necessary care is complete, we will discharge patients back to their dentists. We are always happy to discuss cases via email or telephone if necessary.
Patients views are of the utmost importance to us and feedback is welcomed. Should there be dissatisfaction with any aspect of care, then please see the complaints policy at the Waterside Dentalcare website.
We aim to respond to concerns thoroughly, in a sensitive and caring manner.
The POS clinicians regularly take part in continuing professional development, as outlined by the General Dental Council. In addition to this we partake in courses relevant to our clinical practice in order to ensure all treatment is evidence-based and complies with the latest guidelines.
Our professional registration is with the General Dental Council and we are both members of the Faculty of Dental Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, in addition to the British Association of Oral Surgeons and British Dental Association.