THE team at No. 5 Dental Care in Hindhead are all smiles after winning several national and regional accolades.

After winning through to the finals in the categories of Best Practice, Best Team and Best Patient Care at the National Dentistry Awards, the practice went on to win both Best Team in the South at the Private Dentistry Awards and also Best Endodontic Referral Practice in the Dental and Oral Health Awards in December last year. 

This year, they have triumphed again, adding Leaders in Root Canal Therapy (London and South) in the Global Excellence Awards to their trophy shelf.

The practice, which serves Hindhead, Haslemere, Grayshott, Liphook and surrounding villages, has an on-site laboratory for same day denture repairs and mouthguards.

It is also the first practice in the South East to offer a high-tech solution to banish jaw pain, grinding and headaches caused by a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder.

The medical device consists of two custom-made, hollow inserts that rest in the outer part of the ear canal.

There is no interference with hearing, and they can be worn 24 hours a day. The shape of the ear canal changes when the jaw is opened or closed through movements such as chewing, smiling, and speaking. The device encourages the patient to favour the “open bite” position, minimising the tendency to clench the jaw and tense the surrounding muscles.

Emma Clayton-Jones, dentist and founder of No. 5 Dental said: “When I started No. 5 seven years ago, I knew I wanted to provide the best possible patient experience from the moment people walk through the door.

“The feedback from patients is essential and we are constantly trying to further hone and improve by listening to our patients.  They come first. 

“I am incredibly lucky to have had such a fantastic team to make this vision a reality.”

Communicating with the community is also important to the team at No. 5 Dental.

Part of the awards submission included providing evidence of their community programme. One of the dentists, Hannah Keanie, visits schools to educate the children on oral health and also visits care homes to provide insight and advice for carers on their patient’s dental care.

Hannah said: “We’re always keen to hear from schools or care homes who would benefit from a visit.

“It’s a very rewarding part of our wider role and can help prevent many dental complications.”

The practice has recently been joined by Stacey Graham, who acts as a dedicated patient experience co-ordinator.