I AM WRITING in response to an article in the SUNDAY SUN of January 31, Page 35A, which portrayed dentistry in Barbados as being behind the times.

Dentistry in Barbados is actually of a very high standard and the public should know about it. I would like to invite THE NATION into my office and show them that we can match

or even surpass the treatment that patients in the United States receive.

I am sure that the other older Barbadian dentists would agree with me.

We have been practising a high standard of dentistry in Barbados for over 35 years.

We offer all the latest sophisticated state-of-the-art treatments - no needles, no drills, no pain.

We use hard and soft tissue lasers. We have intra oral and extra oral cameras, digital intra oral and orthopantogram X-ray equipment, plasma arch whitening systems, syringeless local anaesthesia, and all the other high-tech equipment.

We also use implants, orthodontics with or without braces, prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, TMJ treatment. We even offer acupressure anxiety reduction techniques and nutritional analysis.

We offer all the cosmetic dental and surgical procedures that are seen on Extreme Makeovers on TV at affordable prices, including metal-free zirconia porcelain crowns, veneers and bridges; all in an ultra-modern office with highly-skilled, motivated, personable and chairside staff who create a caring and relaxed atmosphere.

We have many patients who are regular dental patients of ours who live in the United States, Canada, England, France, and Italy. Some come from as far away as New Zealand and South Africa - prefering to be treated in our offices in Barbados.

We are continually upgrading and attending continuing education seminars. Daily peer discussions are common, and each year we have regular visits from external, international professionals who love coming to our offices, sharing their knowledge and skills - hands on - while enjoying the pleasant hospitality that Barbados is so well known for.

I think I speak for many other dentists in Barbados who have similar set-ups and were most upset by the newspaper article.

- DR DEREK GOLDING