Julia Buchanan qualified as an Occupational Therapist (OT) at the University of Cape Town in 1988. She obtained general experience working as an OT in South Africa and the UK, and then extensive experience working as a disability claims consultant within the insurance industry.

Julia has been in private practice since 2010, and her scope of practice currently includes the following:

• Functional and work capacity evaluations.
• Case management, including clinical / rehabilitative and return-to-work case management.
• Medico-legal evaluations - including road accident, personal injury, and medical malpractice claims.
• General consulting work related to the management of disability and challenges faced by the older person in all spheres of life.

For further information or to make an appointment, contact Julia directly on:

• Telephone: 084 359 6055
• Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Elsabet Bester qualified as an occupational therapist, with a major in psychology, at the University of Cape Town in 1991. Elsabet’s initial working experiences were in the UK in the 1990’s, where she worked in various hospital settings, including specialized rehabilitation units, as well as in community settings carrying out care assessments and implementing care plans within a care team. Back home in South Africa, Elsabet’s work experiences continued to be varied and included aiding in the development and running of occupational therapy services from several Community Health Centres in the Cape Metropole Region, working as a claims consultant assessing disability claims and actively facilitating return to work (of claimants) where possible, as well as starting her own private practice, initially part-time, but full-time since 2005.

The services of Elsabet Bester and Associates include, but are not limited to:

• We complete functional assessment of an individual who has suffered a life-changing injury which results in either a personal injury or medical negligence claim. We then produce a comprehensive report, providing an independent, balanced, and objective view of the client’s functioning.  Our reports will include consideration of care requirements, home modifications, equipment, and assistive technologies. 
• We provide functional capacity evaluation services (often required for insurance / disability claims purposes) within the workplace and home too, if required.
• We provide case management services, at various stages of the life of a minor or adult (e.g. at interim payment stage of RAF or medical negligence matters, or post-settlement), using our unique set of skills to provide essential coordination of services, advocating for additional services when necessitated, advising the client, family, and caregiver, monitoring of services, etc.
• We can assist you with the implementation of barrier-free home modifications for the elderly and disabled persons, to enhance their ability to function safely.

We provide the above services throughout the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, and other areas of South Africa upon request.For further information or to make an appointment, contact Elsabet directly on  Telephone: 083 320 0503 or  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nasreen Khan graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of the Western Cape. Nasreen has been working in general dental practice since then.

She is a member of the Oral Hygiene Association of South Africa and has completed the Extended Functions Course. Nasreen’s passion for oral hygiene has provided her with the opportunity to do presentations at various schools and clinics in the community, educating them on the importance of oral hygiene.

Taj Falal graduated at the University of the Western Cape in 2015 with bachelor degree in Oral Health. Since 2016 Taj has worked in various dental practices as an Oral Hygienist with a special interest in periodontology, a speciality in dentistry concerning the support structures of teeth.

Taj has provided Oral Health talks and promotions at public schools and communities in aiding to promote awareness of the role that an Oral Hygienist plays in patients general health profile.

Taj also completed her level three First Aid training qualifications and has volunteered in assisting ambulance officials. 

Anchen Butler started her career in 1995 training as Dental Assistant under the guidance of Doctor Brummer. She has been the assistant to Doctor James van der Westhuyzen for the past 22 years.

Anchen is caring and thorough in her approach.

I started my journey as Dental Chairside Assistant in 1992 when I obtained my certification at Peninsula Technicon.

In 1993 I worked alongside a local Dentist in Cape Town City Centre. There, not just my skills improved, but I grew on a personal level as well.

From October 2002 I worked in Bergvliet serving the dental needs of the community for two decades.

I believe in having a strong work ethic in whatever we take on, whether in our day to day lives or the challenges in the work environment.

It's all about engaging with continual learning and what potential we can allow to be unlocked in the process in ourselves.

I have learnt that “Life is much more than meets the eye”

I Lusanda Gibisela matriculated in 2016 from Thandokhu High School. After matric, I did a 1 year internship at Nyanga clinic, helping out in the admin department, mostly doing data capturing . In 2018 I graduated as a dental assistant in CPUT. Whilst studying, I did my in-service training in Tygerberg dental faculty, Clinmed dental and medical and Gugulethu dental clinic. I enjoy dentistry and it’s a pleasure to be part of the BDMS team.  

“Don't hold yourself back. Always know that you are capable of anything you set your mind to”

After 10 years in the banking industry, completing her Level 5 Basic Ambulance Assistant course in 2005 and working at an Accounting firm, Lynn has found her passion in being multi-skilled at this practice.

Her roles varies from relieving at reception, helping out as a chair assistant, performing admin roles and being the personal assistant for James and Louise van der Westhuyzen.

Lynn says “I have always been Passionate about Customer service. Quality has always been a top priority, therefore patient care is very important to me”. She Loves people, so coming to work and making a difference in her workplace and in the lives of others, is what she lives for.

I completed my studies as a Dental Chairside Assistant with distinction from CPUT in 2014.

I started work immediately as a Chairside Assistant and gained much experience. I joined the Bergvliet Dental and Medical Team in 2017, first as a chairside Assistant then transferred to an administration position.

My passion for people and administrative processes was the deciding factor to move to Front-office position as I can combine my knowledge of dentistry processes and administration to best serve our clients and our team.

I qualified as a dental assistant in 1998 and worked as a Dental assistant till 2012. I then moved to the administration part of Dentistry as I felt better suited to having a frontline relationship with patients. I have worked in Tableview, Sea Point and Johannesburg Northern Suburbs. I returned to Cape Town in 2022. I have been blessed in working with amazing dentist’s over the years and it’s another highlight for me to have been chosen to join the Bergvliet Dental and Medical Family. I am honored at the chance to meet new people