DENTIST Chris Brooks is certainly not down in the mouth after being highly commended by judges of a national dentist award.

Mr Brooks, who runs a dental practice on Chorley New Road, Bolton, received the commendation in this year's Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist Awards, launched in May, to encourage people that going to the dentist can be a pleasant experience.

The judging panel of customer service and dental experts were impressed with Mr Brooks's warmth and dedication to his patients, but he was pipped to the post by winner Wendy Smythe, of Altrincham, Cheshire.

The awards were aimed at changing the perception of dentists -- showing that they are professionals who provide a high level of customer service, rather than the pain-inflicting stereotype of the past.

Mr Brooks said: "Customer service is of extreme importance in our practice. The patient is the most important person in the room and their needs always come first.

"I am delighted to have been highly commended by the judging panel and want to thank everyone who voted for the practice."