Crowning glory

TOP marks for the team (back row, from left) Christine Chadwick, dental hygienist, and dentists Gwyn Pritchard and Carol Pritchard. Middle row, Laura Taylor, dental nurse; Nicole Bolton, trainee dental nurse; Natalie Grayson, trainee dental nurse cadet; Fiona Faragher, dental therapist; Kayleigh Dyson, dental nurse; Kim Winterburn, dental nurse; Karen Cannon, oral health educator. Front, receptionists Vanessa Lloyd and Sarah England

AN OLDHAM dental practice has earned a gold award for the way it treats its patients.

Union Street-based Pritchard Dental Practice is celebrating after receiving gold membership of the British Dental Association Good Practice Scheme.

It was one of the first teams to join the scheme after it was set up in 2001 by the British Dental Association, in an attempt to formulate nationally-recognised best-practice standards.

Proud owners and principal dentists, Gwyn and Carol Pritchard, said it was a “fantastic achievement,” adding: “the whole team has worked very hard over the last 10 years to maintain the high standards required for the scheme.”

They issued a joint statement: “As a team, we think it’s vital for dentists to work to improve all aspects of the relationship with their patients by listening to any concerns that patients may have, provide full explanations and, where possible, offer a choice of treatment options.

“The scheme helps the team to focus on providing patients with the best patient care possible through good communication and clinical excellence.”

Gwyn added: “Studies have shown that patients are less anxious when their dentist is able to explain treatments clearly and involve the patient in making decisions about the future care of their teeth and gums.”

The practice also holds Denplan Excel Accreditation, an independently-validated programme that reassures patients that their dentist provides excellence and is ahead of the latest changes within the profession.