Meet the Team

Dr. Etienne Potgieter
GDC Number 64670

Dr Etienne Potgieter qualified as a dentist at University of Pretoria in 1984. After 2 years compulsory military training where he worked as a dental surgeon in various rural areas of South Africa and Namibia he joined a 3-man practice in Pretoria which specialized in fixed crown and bridge work and removable dentures. Various sedation techniques for nervous patients were performed and the clinic had a very practical approach with laboratory technicians on site. In 1990 Etienne started working as a dentist in Putney and later that year a practice in Hastings. Both surgeries performed all General Dental Services but specialized in Conscious Sedation for nervous patients and Cosmetic work doing teeth Whitening and Veneers, Crown and Bridge work.

During this time Etienne met his wife, Adre, in Putney married 1998 and they had two children, Jonty, born April 2000 and Patricia born July 2002. They moved to Strand, Cape Town in 2005 and had another boy, Etienne jnr born February 2007. During the stay in Cape Town, Etienne did a two year postgraduate course in Implantology at University of Stellenbosch. On their return to Putney they started Gentle Dental Putney in September 2009. The practice benefits from all the experience from Etienne and incorporate all the disciplines mentioned above. Gentle Dental also started a specialist division for Denture and Implants.

Dr. Ilze Van Der Merwe.
GDC Number 67736

Dr. Peter Caspersonn
GDC Number 59268

Loretta Nunn: Practice Manager/Receptionist.

Our Manageress and Receptionist is well known and loved in Putney for her caring efficiency. Being a holder of BDPMA foundation certificate in Dental Practice management, She brings her vast experience of 28 years + to our practice and continued a working relationship with Dr. Potgieter which started in 1996. She enjoys spending time with her two grown up children and travelling.

Laura Butler-Smith: Dental Hygienist/Therapist
GDC Number 125871

Laura is a very experienced Dental care professional with over 10 years within the industry. Laura initially trained and worked as a Dental Nurse at king’s college Hospital gaining various qualifications along the way before furthering her studies.

Laura qualified from King’s College Dental Institute as a Dental Hygiene Therapist, where she was awarded a clinical excellence award. She joined our practice in 2011 where she has started to develop a tailor-made hygiene programme.

The treatment and maintenance care Laura provides is to the highest standard and all advice given is suited to individual client needs. Her training allows her to carry out preventative and conservative treatments for adults and children, including the placement of fillings and an extensive range of dental treatments on the deciduous dentition (milk teeth).

Laura has a gentle but thorough approach to her work, which means nervous, sensitive and first time patients are more than welcome.

Muna Mohamed: Head Nurse
GDC Number 208500

Muna is head Dental nurse at Gentle Dental Putney since May 2010. Muna very much enjoy the direct patient care approach by reassuring patients, especially nervous patients to make them feel comfortable and show care and understanding toward them, to help the patient overcome their fear of dentistry. She gets great pleasure from the appreciation she get from patients each time. Muna likes to spend her free time growing her own organic vegetables in her allotment or cooking and entertaining her family and friends.

Jana Platace: Registered Dental Nurse
GDC Number 233477

Jana, our energetic dental nurse, joined Gentle Dental in August 2011. She has recently been awarded a 2.1 degree in BSc (Hons) Human and Medical Sciences at the University of Westminster, and received an NEBDN Diploma in Dental Nursing. With welcoming and caring attitude, Jana looks after each patient's comfort, so that their dental experience is exceptionally positive. In her spare time, Jana enjoys developing her hobby in photography and indulging in various open air activities and adventures.

Olya Downey: Trainee Dental Nurse.

I joined Gentle Dental Putney in March 2011 as a trainee dental nurse. I’m currently doing BSC (Hons) Human and Medical Science at university as well as NVQ L3 in Dental Nursing at college. I love my job and the friendly staff here at the practice makes it a lot more enjoyable. In my free time I enjoy travelling, outdoor activities and spending time with my family and friends.