The people behind your care

Dr Azher Ashraf joined Sedation Solutions in 2016, becoming Partner in 2022. He is a Consultant Anaesthetist and Sedation Lead at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, with extensive experience in sedation and caring for patients who are anxious about treatment. He combines clinical expertise with a calm, warm and empathetic approach, helping patients feel safe, comfortable and well cared for.

His work in sedation extends beyond clinical practice. He served as President of the Association of Dental Anaesthetists and Sedationists (ADAS) from 2024-6, contributing to the development of consensus-based UK dental sedation policy. He is also a regular speaker at national conferences and educational events.

At Sedation Solutions, Azher leads on research and educational initiatives and co-developed the Ashraf–Jawad Three-Arm Sedation Scale (TASS), designed to improve the monitoring and assessment of sedation depth and effectiveness. He was previously Programme Director for Dental Sedation and Pain Management at UCL Eastman Dental Institute, where he taught, examined and led the one-year Postgraduate Certificate programme, helping dentists and doctors develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide sedation safely.

Azher graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2005 and University College London in 2008. Following early medical experience in Oxford and Australia, Azher completed specialist anaesthetic training through the Oxford and London Schools of Anaesthesia. His training included posts at the John Radcliffe Hospital, UCLH, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. His NHS practice encompasses elective and emergency care, including general anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia and sedation, across a broad range of surgical specialities.

For Azher, good sedation is about more than medication or the procedure itself. It begins with building trust and rapport— taking the time to understand each patient’s concerns, what matters to them, and what will help them feel safe. He particularly enjoys getting to know his patients, talking with them and hearing their stories.

Outside medicine, Azher is married with two young boys. He enjoys family life, travelling and exploring different parts of the world.

Dr Nisha Bhudia qualified from University of Leicester Medical School in 2006 and has been an anaesthetist since 2011 having trained at many of the major teaching hospitals in London.

She has a specialist interest in airway anaesthesia and sedation and has been an associate at Sedation Solutions since 2019.

She is enthusiastic about teaching and nurtures this interest by lecturing at the UCL Eastman dental institute on the postgraduate diploma for dental sedation and teaching on European Paediatric Life Support courses.

Outside of her clinical work Nisha enjoys cycling and yoga.

Dr Ingrid Bosch is an experienced General Practitioner who has been practising conscious sedation in the United Kingdom since 1998. Throughout her career, she has combined her work in general practice with a particular interest in helping anxious patients feel comfortable and confident when accessing dental treatment.

Originally qualifying as a doctor at the University of the Free State in South Africa, Dr Bosch has extensive experience in both primary care and sedation services. She has owned and managed medical practices in both the UK and South Africa and has dedicated much of her professional life to providing sedation for patients undergoing dental procedures.

As a long-standing Associate of Sedation Solutions, Dr Bosch is known for her calm and caring approach, and for her ability to put patients at ease. She understands that many people feel nervous about dental treatment and takes the time to ensure that every patient feels listened to, informed and supported throughout their care.

With decades of clinical experience and a genuine commitment to patient wellbeing, Dr Bosch remains passionate about helping patients receive treatment safely and comfortably in a relaxed environment.

Dr. Will Botha qualified as a medical doctor from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2001 and moved to the U.K in 2003. He became involved in dental sedation soon after arriving in the U.K, practicing in NHS and private dental surgeries treating both adult and paediatric patients. This allowed him to accumulate considerable experience in the field. In 2008 he completed a post-graduate diploma in sedation and pain control under the tutorship of Prof. James Roelofse, architect of the sedation training program at the University of the Western Cape and the Eastman Dental Hospital at University College London.

In 2011 he was one of the founding partners of Sedation Solutions LLP, providing sedation services to leading private clinics in London and the Southeast of England. He also works closely with the award winning Toothbeary Dental Practice Richmond (London), where he is the lead sedationist, providing advanced IV sedation for children.

Dr. Botha, along with some of his colleagues at Sedation Solutions, also works closely with a leading facial cosmetic surgeon at The Centre for Facial Cosmetic Surgery in Harley Street, where they perform advanced surgery under intravenous sedation.

Outside his professional life, Will is married and with 3 young boys, is kept quite active when not at work, especially during the summer cricket season. Will also enjoys long distance running and being in the outdoors as much as possible. MB ChB (University of Pretoria), PGD Sedation (University of Stellenbosch)

After qualifying in medicine at the University of Pretoria, his early career took him from mine medicine in South Africa to the Canadian Rockies, remote Inuit communities in northern Canada and the decks of passenger ships sailing the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Atlantic. Along the way, he worked as a gold mine medical officer, ship’s surgeon, family physician and flying doctor — an unusually varied introduction to medicine that demanded adaptability, independence and the ability to work in some decidedly unconventional clinical settings.

Returning to South Africa, André moved back into hospital medicine, gaining experience across a broad range of specialties including ophthalmology, psychiatry, radiology and anaesthetics. It was during these years that his interest increasingly turned towards anaesthesia and, ultimately, the emerging field of conscious sedation. Sedation became that direction.

After moving to the UK, André began working full-time in peripatetic dental anaesthesia and sedation before joining Dr Joe Omar’s practice dedicated to dental sedation in 1997. That practice would eventually amalgamate with 5 other sedation practices to establish Sedation Solutions, where he remains a partner today.

He was a founding member of the Society of Conscious Sedation in 1999 and subsequently completed postgraduate training in Sedation and Pain Management at Stellenbosch University. From 2005, André spent ten years coordinating the UCL Eastman postgraduate programme in Sedation and Pain Management, bringing together clinicians and educators to help develop knowledge and training in a specialty that was itself continuing to evolve. Almost three decades after making sedation the focus of his career, André remains clinically active, but his role within Sedation Solutions extends considerably beyond treating patients. He is closely involved in clinical governance, protocol development, clinician mentoring, audit and research, and has played the central role in developing the bespoke sedation digital systems used to document, monitor and continually improve sedation care across the practice, and hopefully across the discipline of sedation in the UK as a whole.

He has a particular interest in advanced sedation techniques and in how thoughtful use of technology, clinical data and carefully designed systems can make sedation more individualised, safer, predictable and effective — while never losing sight of the patient behind the monitoring.

Outside medicine, André is an accomplished documentary photographer and was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society in 2015. It is a very different discipline, although perhaps not entirely unrelated: both reward curiosity, careful observation, sound judgement and an enduring attention to detail.

MB ChB (Pret), B Med Sci (Pret), PPD Sed & Pain Management (Stell)

MBBS. Sam has a background in emergency medicine, which shows in an unusually calm approach to unpredictable cases. Supports both dental and minor medical procedures.

Dr Carmen Foster is a dedicated and compassionate sedationist who combines her background in anaesthesia and intensive care with a calm, reassuring approach to patient care.

Carmen graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa with an MBBCh in 2015. She completed her internship and community service at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, one of the largest teaching hospitals in the world, before gaining further experience working in private emergency departments in South Africa.

After relocating to the UK in 2020, Carmen continued her career in acute medicine and now works as a Senior Anaesthetic and Intensive Care doctor in Southwest London. Her experience in anaesthesia, intensive care and emergency medicine has given her a broad clinical background and an understanding of how important reassurance, communication and careful individualised care can be when patients are feeling particularly anxious or vulnerable.

Carmen joined Sedation Solutions in 2024 and provides intravenous sedation for patients undergoing treatment in dental practices. She particularly enjoys the patient-facing aspect of sedation and believes that helping someone feel comfortable and reassured begins well before any sedative medication is given. Her warm and approachable manner fits naturally with the Sedation Solutions philosophy of making treatment possible for patients who may otherwise find it difficult to undergo the care they need.

Outside medicine, Carmen enjoys scenic country walks, Pilates, and cooking feasts for family and friends.

Dr Max Hodges is a Consultant Anaesthetist with extensive experience in anaesthesia, conscious sedation and the care of patients undergoing complex procedures. He has worked with Sedation Solutions for eight years, providing conscious sedation in dental practices for patients whose treatment may otherwise be difficult because of anxiety, procedural complexity or individual clinical needs.

He uses a carefully tailored multimodal intravenous sedation technique, combining complementary approaches to achieve an appropriate and consistent level of conscious sedation for each patient and procedure. His aim is to help patients remain comfortable, calm and able to undergo treatment, with close clinical monitoring throughout.

Max qualified in medicine at the University of Bristol in 2000, obtained Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists by examination in 2009 and became a Consultant Anaesthetist in 2013. He has worked clinically in both the United Kingdom and Australia, including registrar-level emergency medicine and critical care experience in Sydney. His broad background includes adult and paediatric anaesthesia, obstetric, orthopaedic and ophthalmic anaesthesia, day-case practice, maxillofacial and dental procedures, management of complex airways and emergency care. This breadth of experience enables him to assess medical needs carefully and work closely with dentists and practice teams to plan safe, effective sedation for routine and complex dental care.

He is also an experienced medical educator, holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education, and has taught resuscitation and clinical skills to a wide range of healthcare professionals. Patients and colleagues value his calm, supportive manner, clear communication and focus on delivering high-quality care tailored to the individual.

Outside medicine, Max is a keen beekeeper and enjoys the practical, seasonal nature of caring for his colonies and producing honey.

Dr Mohammed Jawad is a Consultant Anaesthetist at Ashford and St Peters NHS Trust. He trained at Imperial and has worked as a Consultant across North West London. He joined Sedation Solutions in 2019 and has now completed over 1500 hours of sedation.

He was the President of the Association of Dental Anaesthetists and Sedationists between 2022 and 2024. He was integral to see the rejuvenation of the society including introduction of regular educational webinars, two successful annual conferences, a referendum to change the name (from Association of Dental Anaesthetists). He also held the treasurer role between 2024-2026.

His passion is sedation and was lead for sedation at Charing Cross Hospital (2021-2023) as well as Ashford and St Peter's. He has taught at numerous sedation courses including at the Royal Brompton, he founded the Imperial sedation Study Day and taught as a lecturer at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute diploma in dental sedation.

Along with Dr Azher Ashraf, Mohammed has designed a new pioneering scale to monitor the depth of sedation. This will further enhance the ability to titrate and provide an effective and safe sedation for your dental procedure.

MB ChB, FRCA University of Manchester

Dr Jawaad Saleem Malik (Bobby) is a Consultant Anaesthetist with specialist expertise in dental sedation and anaesthesia.

He has a particular interest in providing safe, effective and patient-centred intravenous sedation, helping make dental treatment a calmer and more comfortable experience for anxious patients and those undergoing complex procedures.

Alongside his clinical practice, Jawaad is passionate about education, training and maintaining the highest standards in sedation.

Outside work, he loves travelling and spending time with his family, especially his little children—who remain completely unimpressed by his qualifications and are considerably harder to keep calm!

MBBS, BSc (Hons), CIPS, FFPMRCA, FRCA, EDRA, Executive MBA,

Dr Lola is a Consultant Anaesthetist with over 10 years of experience in providing safe, compassionate and patient-centred care. With a kind and caring approach, Dr Lola understands that dental treatment can be a source of significant anxiety for many patients and is committed to making the experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible.

Alongside extensive experience in anaesthesia, Dr Lola is highly experienced in conscious sedation for dental procedures, including treatment delivered outside the traditional hospital environment. Their approach to sedation focuses on careful assessment, safety, reassurance and individualised care. Every patient is different, and sedation is planned around each person's needs, medical history and level of anxiety.

Working closely with dentists and dental teams, Dr Lola provides a collaborative and professional sedation service designed to support both patients and clinicians. The aim is to help patients feel calm and comfortable while enabling dentists to carry out necessary treatment in an appropriate and well-supported environment.

Outside of clinical practice, Dr Lola stays active with HIIT workouts and loves to bake, with a chocolate chip banana loaf that's become something of a signature recipe. Naturally, she's diligent about brushing and flossing afterwards!

FFPMRCA FRCA MMBS (Imperial College London) BSc (Hons)

Dr Will Pitts is a senior anaesthetics and intensive care doctor who graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine with a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery, as well as a BSc in Pharmacology with First Class Honours. He subsequently gained extensive experience in multiple hospitals throughout London and Surrey and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) and Fellow of the College of Intensive Care Medicine (FCICM). He spends half his time caring for critically unwell patients on the intensive care unit and the other half providing anaesthesia and sedation.

Will has a special interest in healthcare management, holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership and Commissioning. He also has several educational roles, including as an Acute Life Support instructor for the Resuscitation Council, and regularly delivers lectures and workshops on anaesthetic maintenance and airway management. His subspecialty anaesthetic interests include obstetric anaesthesia and high-risk surgery, having undertaken advanced training in the perioperative management of complex, high-risk surgical patients.

Will developed a particular passion for safe sedation and regularly provides support for a range of surgical specialties using sedation techniques. He especially enjoys helping anxious patients through their procedures, listening to their concerns and adjusting his approach to everyone. He is a calm, warm and compassionate doctor that takes pride in making his patients feel at ease.

Outside of his clinical life, Will is a family man and enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters (mostly chasing them around!). He is learning Spanish and stays very active through golf, hybrid fitness classes and events, as well as a newfound love for padel.

MBBS BSc FRCA FCICM

Garry graduated from Bristol University in 2006 before working in Bristol, Australia, Papua New Guinea and London. He is trained in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine and now works as a consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia in East London. His qualifications include MA, MBChB, FRCA (Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists) and FFPMRCA (Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Royal College of Anaesthetists)

Dr Sali Urovi is a Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care and Lead for Thoracic Anaesthesia at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Basildon, UK. He has more than three decades of experience in medicine, with a career spanning Albania, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Dr Urovi graduated in Medicine from the University of Tirana, Albania, in 1989 and subsequently continued his medical training in Italy, graduating from the University of Ancona Faculty of Medicine in 1995. He completed his postgraduate specialist training in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, Pain and Hyperbaric Therapy at the University of Ancona in 2001. Following his training, he worked for more than a decade as a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at Maria Cecilia Hospital, part of the GVM Care & Research Group in Italy. During this period, he developed extensive experience across cardiothoracic, vascular, neurological, general and orthopaedic surgery, while also undertaking clinical leadership and managerial responsibilities.

His UK career began in 2014 at Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital, where he initially worked as a Clinical Fellow before progressing to consultant level. He subsequently worked as a Locum Consultant in Adult Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia at the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, gaining further specialist experience in complex cardiac and thoracic surgery, emergency cardiac surgery and anaesthesia for advanced cardiological procedures. He also developed expertise in transoesophageal echocardiography and obtained the EACTA certification in TOE.

Since 2019, Dr Urovi has been a substantive Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, where his clinical practice encompasses cardiac and thoracic surgery, catheter laboratory procedures and the management of critically ill patients in the postoperative cardiac, thoracic and cardiological intensive care environment. As Lead for Thoracic Anaesthesia, he has a particular interest in complex thoracic surgery, lung isolation, one-lung ventilation, multimodal and regional anaesthesia, and perioperative care.

In addition to his hospital practice, Dr Urovi has more than ten years of experience in procedural sedation for dentistry, working with Sedation Solution LLP. In this role, he has provided conscious sedation for a wide range of dental and maxillofacial procedures, contributing to the safe and effective care of patients with dental anxiety, complex medical conditions, and special procedural requirements. This experience has further strengthened his expertise in patient-centred care, peri-procedural safety, airway management and ambulatory sedation practice.

Alongside his clinical work, Dr Urovi has maintained a strong commitment to education, professional development and academic activity. He has undertaken extensive training in echocardiography, point-of-care ultrasound, regional anaesthesia, lung ultrasound and bronchoscopy, and has contributed to teaching and professional education, including faculty roles in ultrasound and regional anaesthesia courses.

Dr Urovi remains actively engaged with international professional organisations and continuing education, regularly attending and contributing to major international meetings in cardiothoracic anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia, intensive care and ultrasound. His professional philosophy is centred on combining technical excellence with sound clinical judgement, calm leadership, effective communication and compassionate patient-centred care.

With a career built across different healthcare systems and cultures, Dr Urovi particularly values the sharing of experience, teaching the next generation of clinicians, and continually improving the quality and safety of perioperative, critical care and procedural sedation practice.

MD (Tirana University), MD (Ancona University), Ass.FRCA

Dr Andre von Backstrom is a medical doctor who qualified in 1988 at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has a diploma in sedation and pain control and was clinical assistant anaesthetist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Andre has been involved in medical and dental anaesthesia and sedation since 1991 and has carried out more than 60 000 general anaesthetics and sedations. He has been at the forefront of the development of sedation in private dental and medical settings. He prides himself in his bedside manner to make patients at ease before administering sedation.

He is married to an NHS Cardiac Rehabilitation Physiotherapist and has three grown up children.

In his off time he is a keen golfer and tennis player and enjoys skiing and Game watching whenever holiday opportunities arise.

Katie manages onboarding for new practices, walking teams through what to expect from their first booking through to their tenth.

Daniel has been part of Sedation Solutions since it was founded in 2011 and became Chief Operating Officer in 2022. He leads across operations, compliance and strategy, playing a key role in shaping the direction, culture and continued growth of the business.

His approach to leadership is hands-on and people-focused. He believes in setting high standards, leading by example and giving people the confidence and support to succeed. For Daniel, leadership isn’t just about delivering results; it’s about creating something meaningful with the people around you.

Alongside Sedation Solutions, Daniel works as a consultant with start-ups and growing businesses, particularly within the health and wellness sector. He enjoys working closely with founders, bringing commercial experience, fresh thinking and a practical approach to the realities of building and scaling a business.

Daniel also co-presents a podcast exploring dyslexia, sharing experiences and conversations that challenge perceptions and celebrate different ways of thinking.

A graduate with a BA (Hons) in Business, Economics and Marketing, Daniel has more than 20 years of commercial experience across business, healthcare and entrepreneurship.

Away from work, Daniel is a keen padel player, loves to travel and, above all, values time with his family. That sense of perspective carries into the way he leads — ambitious about what can be achieved, but equally conscious of the people you bring with you along the way.

BA (Hons), The Open University

Charlotte supports the wider office team day to day.

I am an experienced office administrator at Sedation Solutions LLP, with a strong background in administration, client relations, bookings and office management. I enjoy working in a busy environment, supporting our team, surgeries and patients, and helping to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

Outside of work, I have a lifelong passion for classical music, having studied piano performance and music theory. I also enjoy long walks in nature and spending quality time with my family and our dog.

Nathan is part of the office team.