A GWENT dental surgery is in with a chance of being judged the best in the United Kingdom, after being nominated for the accolade by patients.

The Old Greystones surgery in Newbridge town centre, which has more than 4,000 patients on its books, is run by dentists Stuart Johnston and Franco Passariello.

But all of its staff have been involved in submitting an entry to award organisers Denplan, a dental healthcare company, following the nomination.

"We were sent a set of four scenarios by Denplan which we had to think through and explain how we would handle them," said Mr Johnston, who has been based in Newbridge since the mid-1970s.

"There is a Wales and South West regional competition first, followed by the national final. It's nice that people thought well enough of us to put us forward."

The practice and its facilities have recently undergone extensive refurbishment.

It has two dental nurses, three hygienists, an oral health educator, an orthodontist and two receptionists.

Preventative education to get children into good dental habits is a major part of the practice philosophy.

Mel Daley, the practice's oral health educator, is one of only two in Gwent. She runs its preventive dental unit, which encourages mothers to register their children when they are babies.

"The idea is to see mum and baby together to get the child used to coming to the dentist and into good dental habits," said Mr Johnston.

"We still see quite a number of children with extensive decay, and it is important to teach the basics of teeth brushing very early." The preventive dental unit will be part-funded by Caerphilly Local Health Group.

As part of this arrangement, Mrs Daley will go out to places such as nurseries and mother and toddler groups to spread the message about the importance of good dental health.

"We are developing the plan for this project at the moment," said Mr Johnston.

"It is really an extension of our NHS work, and it is unusual. Getting out into the community is a bit different for dental practices."