A FORMER Young Dentist of the Year has returned to her roots and opened a practice in Richmond.

Claire Lawson has invested £300,000 in her CTL Dental practice in Newbiggin and created three jobs.

Originally from the Richmond area, she has spent the past 15 years working at Newcastle Dental Hospital and various dental practices and community services throughout the North-East.

She has an extensive range of specialist dental and medical qualifications, and is one of only one per cent of dentists nationally who have pursued their industry education to advanced MSc level.

Named Young Dentist of the Year in 2010, she has also been a finalist in the Dentist of the Year and Private Dentist of the Year awards.

CTL Dental offers a host of services including root treatments, crowns and bridgework, denture design, implants and veneers, facial aesthetics and laser dentistry which is said to be especially effective for nervous patients as it is less intrusive and can reduce healing times.

Claire said: “I’ve had many years’ experience of working with all types of patients – especially those who may be slightly nervous. That’s normal and there are techniques to make the experience a whole lot better.

“These days there are many qualifications available and I’ve studied to the highest levels and am now keen to share my experience with people in Richmond and the surrounding areas.”

The practice is open at “practical” times including evenings and weekends.