Aged 15, Gareth Edwards spent a fortnight’s work experience at a Bournemouth dental practice.

Eighteen years later he returns as the co-owner but of a very different kind of clinic.

Gareth, and Co-founder and fellow Director Zak Kara, officially launch Smile Stories on Saturday, March 20, after acquiring Castle Lane Dental Care.

The look, and feel, will not be your stereotypical dental clinic.

Instead more like a relaxing bar or comfortable café.

The TV show Friends runs on the ceiling TVs.

Clients receive a text on their birthday.

Referals receive a thank you postcard and emojis will be used on WhatsApp.

According to the website of Smile Stories:

“No weird white coats.

“No old-school waiting room.

“No fire-breathing dragon receptionists.

“No ‘smells like the dentist’.

“And absolutely NO lectures or telling you off. Promise.”

Zak, 34, said: “Our clients end up being our friends.

“We know their dog’s name, house move woes, and even get feedback from their Tinder dates.

“My dad had a record shop my whole life, so I grew up chatting to people and getting to know their stories.

“It’s relationships that matter and that’s what we’re all about at Smile Stories.”

Gareth and Zak have both worked in dentistry for nearly two decades.

Gareth, 33, pictured left, grew up in Bournemouth and attended Bournemouth School.

After qualifying with honours at Cardiff University in 2012, he lived in Manchester for five years where he worked in a mixed NHS/private role.

Gareth moved back to Bournemouth in 2018.

He said: “I don’t believe in fate –  you make your own fate – but it certainly feels very apt that my first ever experience in the workplace was in this very dental practice over 15 years ago.

“If I could have told my 15-year-old self that I would one day own this practice with one of my close friends, I’m not sure I would have believed it!”

Zak, pictured right, studied dentistry at Sheffield University where he was the Dental Student President for three years.

He spent time in Madagascar on a voluntary dental project where he met some Australian dentists who persuaded him to move Down Under.

It was while in Australia that he became engrossed in changing perceptions of dentistry.

Zak continued his mission, and further training, in the USA and finally back home to the UK.

He has volunteered on dental projects in East Africa for eight years.

Zak said: “I’ve been lucky enough to be trained by the best in my field and have worked in some of the top clinics in the world.

“When I came to Bournemouth, I knew I wanted to open my own practice, and I knew I wanted it to be different.

“Dentists don’t have to be scary or cold, they can be warm, inviting places that still offer you the very best treatment.”

Gareth and Zak met in 2018 during a social at The Grasshopper in Poole.

At the time both were working at different dental clinics for the same group of dentists.

Zak said: “When I met Gareth, I knew we were on the same page, because unlike most other dentists he ‘gets it’.

“We both shared the same ideas when it came to the future of dentistry, but at the time we were working for competing clinics.

“I realised our audiences were the same, and then I knew I had to find out if we’d work well together.

“We did and, since then, we’ve never looked back.”

The new-look clinic employs 13 staff.

They include four dentists, three hygienists, nurses, and a front of house team.

Smile Stories will not be just about fixing teeth.

Other services offered include discreet straightening,  professional whitening and composite bonding.

Gareth said: “Smiling and confidence are so closely linked.

“The feeling of receiving a smile from a stranger, or from someone you love and giving your biggest, most beautifully confident smile right back is what we live for.

“We want everyone to feel that good, all the time.

“That’s our mission.”

Zak added: “I love the artistry involved in re-creating nature.

“We are not a flashy dentist, we are a dentist for everyone, where everyone is welcome.

“Whether you’d like a natural smile refresh or a Hollywood makeover, your smile story is your decision, and you’ll co-design it alongside us.”

Opening hours are 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and alternate Saturdays.

While Covid-restrictions continue, people can WhatsApp, call or email to book an appointment or speak to one of the team rather than drop into the clinic.

All procedures and services will be available in accordance and compliance with Covid guidelines.

• smilestories.co