Hard work pays off for dental practice

Mr Vance has become one of the first in West Sussex to be accepted for the British Dental Association's good practice scheme. This means the practice, in London Road, meets standards laid down by the association to provide the best possible care for its 1,200 patients. Each member of the practice team has to sign up to a ten-point commitment before it can be considered for the scheme.

These include providing only suitable care, checking for mouth cancer, widespread training and observing infection control procedures. Meeting the commitment is just one of the 102 requirements of the scheme.

It took the practice's four staff six months of hard work to ensure they complied with them.

Receptionist Maureen Nolepa said: "It has been quite a lot of hard work. But everyone has found it worthwhile and we really do feel that we have improved our service to patients."

Practice owner Mr Vance, who began treating teeth in Bognor in 1982, said patients were involved in their treatment from the start.

This included the available options, how many appointments were needed and the cost.