Former Vital cover star and dental nurse Mark Thurston (spring 2011 issue) is opening a brand new dental practice at The Custard Factory, Birmingham, in partnership with fiancée Rebecca Gumm, a dental hygienist, and dentist Harman Chahal.

Wowdental is located close to Birmingham city centre and invites patients to try a new experience in an environment which will bring out the 'best in your smile - a “wow” clinic, now an “ow” clinic'. The practice offers patients fresh coffee and free Internet access while they wait; the UK's first cartoon-styled dental chair (pictured); and an inflatable mock-up surgery for children.

Mark, Rebecca and Harman say that their vision for dentistry is that patients shouldn't be nervous of visiting the dentist, that they should understand how to help maintain their own teeth and that there should not be a premium for accessing services to help prevent dental disease.

As well as dental nurse, Mark is the business manager at the new practice and has project-managed the build.

As Vital goes to press Wowdental was aiming to welcome the first new patients through the doors this September.