Sir, I enjoyed 'First impressions':1 it never does any harm to put yourself in your patients' shoes. But I was reminded of the time I was lolling on a popular beach in Corfu when a couple of larrikins on mopeds turned up. One of them yelled, 'Oi, SPIRO!' About half of the men on the beach jumped up and looked around while the pair made their escape bent double with laughter.

Where I currently work, if I went into the waiting room and asked for Mr Macdonald about half of the men would get to their feet. We have to ask by first and second name and even then sometimes have to fall back on nicknames. This is a rather special corner of Paradise in the Western Isles where we have a 12-surgery Health Board clinic (Western Isles Dental Centre). My colleagues are enthusiastic and funny, and compassionate. The patients have, to a large extent, retained a rather old-fashioned respect for professional people. They are understanding when we run late and appreciate the fact that we all try hard to provide a good service. Practising dentistry here is deeply satisfying.