Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below a list of frequently asked questions which may assist you in finding out more about the company;-
Q:- Who is ‘Ashford Orthodontics’ and when was it established?
A:- Ashford Orthodontics was established in December 2001 by myself Sean Thompson, becoming a limited company in November 2005 with the introduction of two new directors in Craig Stevens and Graeme Winyard. With over 70 years of experience between us, in both private practice and hospital clinics, we feel Ashford Orthodontics have the pedigree necessary to provide a first class service at all times. The company has experienced extraordinary growth since its inception, currently employing ten highly experienced members of staff, making Ashford one of the most progressive Orthodontic laboratory’s in the country. Our state of the art laboratory in the heart Sunderland city centre is now open and visitors are always welcome. Come and experience the ‘wow’ factor for yourself, and see what a specialist laboratory is all about!
Q:- What is your background?
A:- I qualified as a Dental Technician in 1986 at the age of 22 and went on to complete my Advanced Certificate in Prosthodontics two years later. After eight years running a Prosthodontic Department, I completed the Advanced Certificate in Orthodontics and went on to establish myself in this field, culminating in me running the Orthodontic section of the Orthodontic and Oral Facial Laboratory at Sunderland Royal Hospital. Whilst there I studied for a Post Graduate Diploma in Maxillofacial Technology at Manchester University, which I passed with honours, gaining the only Distinction to be awarded to date throughout the history of the course, and also winning the I.M.P.T. prize for Top Student. From there I left to establish Ashford Orthodontics and have expanded the service to provide an Oral Facial aspect, in order to fulfill the need in that specialist area also.
Q:- How can you accommodate extra laboratory work?
Quite simple! We work 18 hours per day, between 3 shifts, with a director present at all times, thus allowing us to prioritise work for postal clients, while still enabling us to get our delivery work ready in time for the next day. We have a strict quality control system in place, and we don’t support the ‘production line’ mentality of bigger commercial labs, so every job is crafted by the same experienced, GDC registered Technician, from start to finish. The quality of the staff we employ is therefore directly reflected in the quality of the work we produce.
Q:- Why should we choose to send work to Ashford Orthodontics?
We believe we are the best, and our clients agree! Once we get a client, normally through recommendations from our other clients, they don’t leave! I think they accept that they will not be able to better the service and quality that they have become used to from us. We feel we have all bases covered, as we currently provide a daily delivery and collection service, as well as a ‘free’ postal service throughout the country. We currently provide an Orthodontic service to the majority of specialist practitioners in the North East of England, including very large specialist practices such as Cleveland Orthodontics and Select Orthodontics in Middlesbrough, Wearside Orthodontics in Sunderland, Dunelm Orthodontics in Durham and Oraprime Orthodontics in Whitley Bay. We are also approved NHS contractors for Newcastle Dental Hospital, James Cook University Hospital, South Tyneside Hospital and North Tyneside Hospital. We also provide our Quick Step Clear alignment system to a large number of Private Dental practices both locally and nationally, and we are always available to visit clients if they wish. Please feel free to contact any of these clients should you feel the need for a reference.
Q:- How can you be contacted?
A:- All the information you need is provided on the website but please feel free to ask for existing clients names and contact details if you require any references.
Thank you for taking the time to find out more about Ashford Orthodontics, and please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further assistance.
