A DENTIST from Tavistock is one of five finalists for the Dentist of the Year South award 2009.

Dr John Patrick McVeigh from Abbey Mead Dental Practice and Implant Centre, Tavistock, is up for the award against five other dentists from London and Hertfordshire.

Paddy, as he is affectionally known by family and friends, and other dental practices across the UK are now gearing up to celebrate the 'best in the profession' at the eleventh annual Dental Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The event is organised to showcase the best the UK dental profession has to offer, and all the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on April 24.

The winners' list was compiled in late February by the judging panel, consisting of members of the various dental professional associations and practitioners.

On hearing the news that he had been chosen as one of the finalists Paddy said: 'I am delighted to have been shortlisted and am looking forward to taking my team, some of whom have never been to London, to the gala award ceremony in the West End.'

Paddy's wife, Ann Cummins, said: 'Obviously, as his wife, I am very proud of him and feel this recognition of his clinical skills and dedication to continuing professional development above and beyond what is required, is completely deserved.'

Commenting on the finalists, chair of the judging panel Lisa Townshend said: 'The entries for this year's event were of an amazingly high standard across all of our categories, so much so that in many of the categories it was difficult to choose a winner.'

This year, due to the number of entries in some of the categories, it was decided to split them into northern and southern regions, with the winner of each region in contention to become the overall national winner.