Running and working a dental practice brings new challenges every year and as a team, Meopham Dental Care staff find this immensely rewarding.

Established for nine years and headed up by dentist Alison Mellor the practice, which is conveniently situated near all the main transport services, sees patients coming from all over the world for treatment.

In the past year alone the list has grown from 112 to 200 new patients with 2,000 overall being registered.

The practice recently underwent a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, which is new to the dental profession, and was given an impressive good report.

Dental nurse Louise Hunt said: “We are a small business and aim to provide a five-star service.

“From the minute the patients make contact we like to believe their every need is catered for.

“We have a family type atmosphere but in a very professional way.

“Care is to a Harley Street standard, but the facilities are local and we have wheelchair access, convenient parking and good access being positioned just off the main Wrotham road opposite a bus stop.”

The practice is also a member of The Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme (MCSAS). It was chosen as a pilot practice to run the scheme which is now in its second year. This amazing structure accredits dental practices that carry out thorough head and neck cancer screenings and demonstrates a visible commitment to increasing public awareness of mouth cancer.

In March 2014, it was awarded Dental Practice of the Month through the MCSAS.

Meopham Dental Care is one of the first practices to adopt an environmental policy. This involves aspects such as being mercury free and recycling most general waste. It prides itself in being able to produce approximately one bag of ground fill waste every two weeks.

A refurbishment is also on the cards and will include a massage chair and video glasses for the patients to wear.

Meopham Dental Care is one of the entrants in the Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards. This year’s award sponsors are Dartford council, Gravesham council, Barnes Roffe, Kent Business School (University of Kent), the KM Group (Dartford Messenger and Gravesend Messenger), Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, Edinburgh House and the University of Greenwich.

Entries have now closed. The winner will be announced soon.