As a specialist practice offering orthodontic treatment, our aim is to deliver exceptional results for children and adults in a friendly and relaxed environment. Our West Yorkshire practice has been thoughtfully designed to offer comfort and the personal service provided by our small team will always make you feel welcome.

We are a private and NHS practice and most of our patients are referred to us by their own dentist, although we are happy to treat people who contact us directly. Due to changes in government funding only certain people are eligible for braces on the NHS. The guidelines specify that patients must be under 18 years old and braces can only be fitted for health, not cosmetic, reasons. Young people with severe crowding, protruding or buried teeth may be eligible.

There may also be a waiting list for NHS treatment and appointments are only available at certain times of the day. Becoming a private patient has a number of benefits including no waiting lists, appointment times that suit you and a wide choice of braces such as invisible and tooth-coloured options. Please click here for more information.

Orthodontist

Guy J Atherton BDS FDSRCPS(Glasg) MOrthRCS(Edin) MSc(Manc)

I grew up in Halifax and studied dentistry at Bristol University. After qualifying, I worked in London as a dentist in practice and in the hospital dental service before deciding to see something of the world and leaving for Australia in 1989. I worked as a dentist in Sydney and then in the outback of Western Australia travelling between three gold mining towns

After returning to the UK, I studied orthodontics at Manchester University. I began working as an orthodontist in Halifax in October 2000 where I launched The Brace Place. In 2005, I moved the practice to Cross Hills where I now provide the neighbouring communities with quality orthodontic treatment. In addition I have lectured to trainee orthodontic therapists at the University of Central Lancashire and co-authored a book on managing medical emergencies in dental practice.

I live in Cross Hills with my wife and our five children, who keep me busy in my spare time.

Practice manager

Kay Greenwood RDN, FETC, Cert in Oral Health Ed, Cert in Ortho DN

I am a registered dental nurse with many years’ experience in dentistry, having worked in a number of general dental practices in addition to the community and hospital dental services.

In 1997, I gained the Certificate in Oral Health Education and in 2001 was one of the first dental nurses in the country to pass the Certificate in Orthodontic Dental Nursing. I also have a Further Education Teaching Certificate and have tutored dental nurses on the National Certificate training programme.

Kay and Guy have worked together since The Brace Place was established in 2000. Kay was appointed practice manager/senior nurse at the new premises in Cross Hills in 2005.

In September 2007, The Brace Place was awarded membership of the British Dental Association's Good Practice scheme which reflects our desire to provide a safe, patient-driven experience. Maintaining this accreditation means we:

• are all registered with the General Dental Council
• meet nationally recognised standards of practice for patient care
• look after your general health and safety while receiving dental care
• receive regular training on current standards of infection control
• screen all patients for mouth cancer at consultation appointments
• undertake continuing professional development and education
• regularly seek the views of our patients so we can maintain our high standards of care and attention