A DENTIST'S plans for customer care have gained her prize-winning recognition within her profession.

Emma Cropp, who has worked at the Shildon dental practice, Ashby and Atkinson, for the past year, presented her research to a conference of more than 120 dentists in Newcastle.

Miss Cropp, who has since jetted off travelling around Mexico, undertook a project while working at the practice, exploring how to give better customer care.

Her ideas have been adopted by staff there, for whom she provided a full training day.

Partner Simon Ashby, said: "She looked at customer care and how we could apply it to dentistry."

Miss Crop was one of 60 young dentists taking part in the Newcastle conference and she was awarded the Frank Ryecroft Prize for the Best Project, for her efforts.

Mr Ashby said: "Everyone at the Shildon practice was very proud of the honour, especially with such strong competition. It has put Shildon on the dental map."