Merrifield Dental Practice

Our Practice Team 

Everyone at our practice is committed to providing you with the very best in dental healthcare. Our dental team bring a wealth of experience to the practice and have individually obtained high standards of professional qualification.

David Munday

David qualified from Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dental School in 1992. Following a year in Vocational Training he held a Senior House Officer position at Manchester Dental School in Maxillofacial Surgery and Restorative Dentistry, before joining a modern, family general practice in Lancashire

During this period, he gained experience in all aspects of dentistry and became the Vocational Trainer for the practice, which involved training newly qualified dentists.

On moving down to Devon in 2001, he worked for two years with the Community Dental Service, treating challenging patients, often with medical, learning and psychological difficulties, before moving back into general practice.

David has experience and interests in all fields of dentistry, including crown and bridgework, cosmetic, restorative and preventative dentistry. He has a calm, relaxed manner and a kind and gentle approach, which means he takes the time to listen, to treat and to explain.

Away from dentistry, David is a family man, is married to Melissa and has two young daughters. He enjoys sailing and running with his two dogs.

Melissa Munday

Melissa graduated from Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dental School in 1992 having gained a class prize in Dental Materials.

Following completion of Vocational Training, where she was awarded a Merit, she moved to Lancashire and worked in a modern, family practice gaining experience in all fields of dentistry.

Since moving to the South West in 2001, Melissa has worked both in the Community Dental Service and in private practice.

She holds an interest in all aspects of general dentistry and has a warm and friendly manner with a kind, relaxing approach to her patients.

Away from dentistry, Melissa is married to David and is kept busy with her two young daughters. Her interests include sailing and walking her dogs.

David de Klerk

BDS[Rand]

David qualified in 1985 from Wits University, South Africa. He has gained a wealth of experience working in a variety of practices in the UK and abroad. David has been a Principal at Orchard Lane Dental Practice since 2002 and enjoys developing and refining his special interests in cosmetic dentistry and providing preventative dental care for all the family. David shares his life with his wife, Claire, their two children and a springer spaniel. A keen sportsman, David can be found trying to beat his son at golf on a weekend!

Wendy Dods

Wendy has been working in the field of dentistry since 1980 and qualified with distinction as a dental hygienist from the Eastman Dental Hospital in 2002 and winning the Nugent Cup. Married, with two daughters, Wendy lives with her husband, Michael, and her interests include walking her English springer spaniel, reading, wine and music.

Anne Hillman

Anne is a people person and has worked as a dental nurse for seven years. On moving to Merrifield Dental Practice, Anne had the chance to work as a receptionist. This has given her the opportunity to meet and greet all the patients, making it a relaxed and friendly environment for them to come in to.

Anne has lived and worked in the Sidmouth area for many years and her outgoing personality and willingness to help has made her well-known and respected by the many people in the community who know her.

Trudi Dorman

Trudi was born in Sidmouth and has lived here all her life. She worked locally in banking for seventeen years before deciding she wanted a new challenge. She joined Merrifield Dental Practice in Jan 2007 as a trainee dental nurse and has gone back to college after twenty years to study for her dental nurses qualification.

Trudi is married, with two children and plays skittles for the local football club.

Frances Swallow

Frances is a qualified dental nurse who has worked in dentistry for a number of years. She has nursed in a variety of practices including working for the Community Dental Service in Bedfordshire and as Senior Nurse in a large practice in Cambridge. She has brought her many skills to Merrifield Dental Practice and has set up and maintains an efficient support structure for the dentists in their working environment here.

Frances is married with four children, now grown-up, and her many interests include Raiki healing and Indian Head massage, helping with Guides and dancing. She has recently returned from trekking in Nepal and is planning another adventure trip in 2009.

Marguerite Clarke

Marguerite has worked in the dental field for over twenty years as well as doing a variety of other jobs ranging from book-keeper to petrol pump attendant. Her dental career has encompassed dental nursing, reception, management and running her own business offering management support to other dental practices in the area. She joined Merrifield Dental Practice in November 2006 and oversaw its move to newly converted premises in January 2007.

Marguerite sees her role as manager as one of looking after the practice, keeping it running efficiently and effectively and supporting the rest of the team, to enable them to concentrate on the all-important task of looking after our patients.

Marguerite is married with a grown-up son and daughter and her spare time revolves around her family and helping her husband with his business.