A DENTAL practice manager in Penarth has triumphed at the country's most prestigious awards ceremony for dentists.

Kirsty White, of Hickman House Dental Surgery, took home the prize for Best Team Member in Wales at the national Dentistry Awards, following this up by winning the overall Best Team Member in the United Kingdom later in the night.

Penarth-based surgery Hickman House was also nominated for the award for Best Team.

The practice has expanded in the last ten years from an original line-up of eight to a team of 18, with more than 10,000 patients on their books.

Success at the ceremony in Leicester comes after a turbulent few years for the team, with the two practice partners – Mark Roach and Charlotte Lloyd – facing life-changing personal challenges that resulted in them retiring from clinical dentistry and stepping down from the day-to-day running of the practice. Ms White's resilience and determination to ensure the practice grew in strength for its patients played a significant role in her award victories.

Speaking after receiving her award, Ms White said: “I’m so honoured to win this fantastic award, but it would not have been possible without the hard work from the whole team, and I am incredibly proud of them.

"We have faced a great deal of challenges but I am inspired by how we have brought the practice though them and how we continue to go from strength to strength.

Hickman House has recently come under the umbrella of Bupa Dental Care, a network of over 400 practices and 2500 dental professionals across the UK and Ireland.

“These awards are coming at a particularly exciting time for us, as we rebrand as part of Bupa Dental Care, and make a start on our refurbishment ready for a brand new look practice in 2018.” added Ms White.

“We look forward to seeing what the future holds, but above all, we will continue to provide the best possible service in every area to our patients in the local community.”