Our practice was built when Queen Victoria was on the throne. It comprises two big houses joined together, and benefits form an airy atmosphere because of the high ceilings.
Some of the original architecture has been sympathetically kept in the conversion to a clinical practice.
We have eight modern surgeries, all sporting the very latest of dental chairs and equipment. There is a large spacious waiting area downstairs, and a quiet lounge upstairs.
The practice is wheelchair accessible through the doors at 167, with three downstairs surgeries and a downstairs toilet.
We also exhibit art around the high white walls, currently exhibiting John Kingerlee, David Johnston, Terry Bradley, John McCaughan and Neill Spiers, our resident artist!
The practice was opened in 1970 by Dr Gilleece, who continued to work there until June 14th 2002, whereupon he retired to the sun in Spain.
Subsequently, the practice has been under the governance of Martin MacAllister, who has been here since January 1991.
We have a notoriously low turnover of staff, some staff approaching their fourth decade in the practice.
We received this testimony from an old friend and long standing patient of the practice, we couldn't resist putting it on here. Here goes...
Dental implant surgery’s not cheap and I had to give serious consideration as to whether or not I’d proceed with it. But I’ve had an upper dental plate for over thirty years now and not a day went by when I was not conscious of it, particularly as it became less and less stable with the passage of time even with periodic relining. I was never confident with the plate without a dental fixative. This made eating tolerable but I speak publically on occasions and the dry-mouth syndrome was exacerbated by the presence of the fixative. After I decided to proceed with the surgery I was disappointed to learn, after a preliminary examination, that my case was far from straightforward; decades of wearing a denture had led to a serious loss of firm bone structure sufficient to take implants. An independent C.T. Scan was organized by the surgery and the results showed that implants were just about possible.
The whole process took about three months. It was uncomfortable at times but relatively painless. I was pleased that at no time during the healing process did I have to go without wearing my dental plate.
I hope I’m not given to exaggeration but for me the final result was life-transforming. I have four posts inserted in the bone to which is attached an immovable bridge with satisfyingly normal looking teeth. When the prosthetic was finally fixed my dentist suggested I might try chewing on a raw carrot! I didn’t. But the first time I bit into a crisp apple was such a pleasurable experience. I realized that denture wearers pull or gnaw on an apple and the sensation of crunching through the fruit was delicious. However, even though I’ve never quite understood why wearing dentures should be a cause of shame or embarrassment, the most positive outcome for me is a restoration of confidence.
WHH