A DENTIST is all smiles after buying the practice where he started out as a work experience student a decade ago.

David Lamb bought the Kingsgate Dental practice, on Church Street, Durham City, from retiring owner Peter Gourlay in a partly “blind” sale.

The Sacriston-born dentist registered an interest online in Durham practices for sale and received brief details of Kingsgate, but did not recognise the practice until after signing a non-disclosure agreement.

“As soon as I got the picture through I thought: ‘I recognise that front door’ and called Peter immediately,” Dr Lamb said.

“I knew this would be the perfect business for me to take over as a sole dentist.”

Two of the dental nurses who worked at Kingsgate when Dr Lamb was there on work experience are still working there ten years on.

The practice has been established for more than 70 years.

Dr Lamb now hopes to double the patient base, add another surgery and recruit a hygienist.

A refurbishment has begun, a new website has been launched and an online booking system set up.

Dr Gourlay said: “We had a few people interested in the practice but it’s nice to think that a local boy is taking over.

“I know David shares that passion of making sure patients are really well looked after so I hope he and his team enjoy as many happy years as I did at Kingsgate.”