Growth plans

Higgins & Winter Dental Practice & Implant Centre, in Ponteland, near Newcastle, has seen its patient numbers soar since it was acquired by dentists Kevin Higgins and Richard Winter in November 2011.

The Ponteland Road practice was previously home to one dentist and only opened three days a week but the new owners have invested £150,000 in a full refurbishment and extending the building to include three surgeries.

The practice, which has seen its patient list grow to top 3,000 from an original 700, has recruited a dental hygienist and a third dentist joins the team in September.

The business has grown turnover five-fold, boosted staff numbers from three to 11 and has extended opening hours to 8am-8pm.

New services that have been introduced include dental implants, adult orthodontic services and teeth whitening.

In addition, the Centre now acts as a referral centre, meaning that other dentists and patients themselves can contact the practice directly to arrange for advice and treatment.