Bernard Jaffa established his surgery in Belfast after training in Queens University and Jerusalem in the late 60s.

It was the time of the Troubles in Belfast and Bernard, coming from a family of entrepreneurs dedicated his practice to top level, comprehensive care in order to to carve a niche in the City. In the early 90s son Adam joined as Practice Manager followed by daughter Lucy, a dentist who focuses on implants and complex cases. Adam explains: “We felt that there were opportunities in the local market and so the three of us went to America for training in customer care and to Europe for technical courses on beautiful, lasting smiles.”

The team has grown to be more than a family business now and has 12 in all including 4 surgeons, all- rounders with personalities and artistic flair needed for modern cosmetic dentistry.

Bernard always wanted to work in a stylish and relaxed environment that reflected his work so when the practice started to bloom he demolished the building and constructed a state of the art facility designed to his own specifications. Adam explains: “The idea was to make it all natural light and space to engage and soothe the senses for both staff and patients alike. I certainly think that we have achieved this!”

A lifelong collector of modern art Bernard managed to squeeze in a gallery on the ground floor, and every area, from the reception to the surgery ceilings is decked with paintings and sculpture to distract and entertain. Adam continues: “The feedback has been great! The Victorian terrace is design-award nominated and now the subject of a study module for local architecture students.

The building is a refreshing calm space for our busy – and sometime stressed - patients who need time to think about what is best for themselves and their smiles. All of our team love the atmosphere and energy of the wonderful white space.”

The gallery which is on a mezzanine from the surgery reception, hosts exhibitions of all kinds and is also rented as a function room by local companies which brings variety to the working week and keeps the practice profile up.

Gentle Dental Care is entering a new stage as the business consolidates and plans for the next decade.

The Jaffas have been supported by Cassons for over 20 years. Adam elaborates: “We have had guidance from Cassons on a broad range of issues from personal tax planning and inheritance tax planning to partnership and business modelling. Local people raise an eyebrow when I say our accountants are in Manchester but we have benefitted from having a team of switched on people behind us. The advice over the years has been indispensible, especially with the extra aspects of combining family and business together. Les really understands what we need and it’s been a great working relationship to date. ”