A DENTIST surgery which took root in Knutsford nearly 30 years ago is looking to give its patients something to smile about.

Mobberley Road Dental Practice changed hands this week for the first time since it opened, but will still take on NHS patients and be performing cosmetic adjustments.

Practice manager Tracy Sant said the practice had seen a growing trend in recent years for ‘smile designs’ prompted by celebrities and their perfect grins.

“People come in because they are unhappy with a tooth that crosses over or one that isn’t the right colour,” she said.

“People are seeing celebrities and thinking I’d like to have teeth like that because everyone likes a nice smile.”

Receptionist Debra Sheehan, who has worked for former surgery owner Gordon Abbotts for 30 years, agreed that one of the biggest changes was from those paying for cosmetic adjustments.

“The American smile has come to England,” said Debra. “People are more aware thanks to advertising and word of mouth about what they can have done.”

Gordon Abbotts opened the surgery in Mobberley Road 29 years ago following on from a successful practice he set up in Manchester.

Both staff and patients had been loyal to Gordon since because of his high standards of care for both employees and those coming through the door.

The 67-year-old, who lives in Mere, will still work in the surgery, but Guy Ward is taking it over.

Guy, who is 34 and qualified in 2005, has worked at Mobberley Road for a year, and aims to continue the standard of care patients are used to while also bringing a fresh outlook.

On Friday Tracy said the key to the surgery’s success was a friendly atmosphere and moving with the times.

“Treatments and techniques have moved forward, and we have always tried our best to help NHS patients,” she said.