INSURANCE broker Smart and Cook has increased its share of the dental practice market to six per cent - after signing up its 2,002nd dentist.

Their healthcare division, operating out of Monk's Cross, York, provides exclusive insurance products to dental practices throughout the country.

The division has served the dental profession for almost 30 years, providing a wide variety of insurance in addition to bespoke commercial insurance programmes for dental bodies corporate, manufacturers and laboratories.

Peter Wright, a dental practitioner based in York, has been a client of Smart and Cook since 1974.

He said: "I have run a practice for many years now, working in both the NHS and private sectors.

"Practitioners have to be more and more aware of the importance of good insurance and risk management.

"As the costs of running a practice continue to escalate the value of insurance protection is more critical than ever," said Mr Wright.

Smart and Cook director Andrew Johnson said: "The healthcare industry has changed significantly over the last few years.

"There are now more private clinics and the rise in popularity of cosmetic surgery has turned what was once a standard scale and polish service into stylish dental studios, which offer myriad treatments."