THE practice manager of a Burnley dental surgery won an award for her dedication to the community during lockdown.

Sophie Etherington of MyDentist in Padiham Road, Burnley scooped the best practice manager title.

She fought off others who entered from across the north.

Sophie said: “It is an honour to win an award for just doing my job.

“I am really proud of this and of the team that I work with at the practice it’s great news.”

Sophie was recognised for educating members of the community on good oral hygiene as dentists were forced to close during the first lockdown.

She put together packs for children that included toothbrushes and toothpaste and educated key workers on how to deliver advice on maintaining good oral hygiene.

The 29-year-old added: “It has been such a hard time for everyone so as practice manager I made it our priority to go out in the community and raise awareness delivering the oral healthcare packs.

“We are making calls to the elderly and vulnerable patients to make sure they are keeping well.”

The Padiham Road practice is one of the biggest dental establishments in East Lancashire.

It has thirteen surgeries under one roof and is has an innovative approach to the way receive treatments.

Sophie, who is a mentor to other practice managers across the area said: “MyDentist has every specialism under one roof and we are all trained well and highly skilled.

“The fact that we can now open to the public is fantastic and when we did open it was overwhelming.

“Just as overwhelming to receive this award.”

Sophie also worked in Blackburn at MyDentist in Railway Road where she was popular with patients and staff.

She joined the team in Burnley in June 2019.

The Dentistry Awards are the profession’s biggest celebration, recognising excellence in the UK and Irish dentistry for over a decade.