-Barclays Business loans to dentists have near doubled in the last two years

-People in Scotland are the happiest with their smile (47%)

-More than half of Scots (51%) have had work done in their teeth in the last two years

Barclays Business Banking reveals it has seen the number and value of loans to the UK dentistry industry almost double* in the last two years, as dentists race to expand premises and invest in new technology to keep up with consumer demand.

82% of dentists say celebrity culture has rocketed demand for dentistry work, with customers looking for a ‘Hollywood smile.’ A further 60% have seen patients reference a specific celebrity smile they want to copy.

Top of Scots’ list is actor Margot Robbie, with the nation’s most sought-after smile, with Love Island’s Jack Fincham and Hustle star Anne Hathaway in joint second place. Megan Markle is a close third.

The research also found that while 26% of Scots are unhappy with their teeth, the country has the highest proportion of people who are happy with their smile (47%). More than half would be willing to spend money in order to achieve the ‘perfect smile’ – indicating a desired average spend of up to £959.

Over a fifth of dentists surveyed said they were considering taking out a loan in the next two years, with the most common reason being a desire to start a new practice (45 per cent), followed by wanting to buy more machinery or equipment (30 per cent).

Barclays has a specialist team of High Growth relationship managers working the length and the breadth of the country, dedicated to helping a whole range of businesses including dentists grow.

Stuart Brown, Head of SME Scotland at Barclays, said: “We’ve seen a huge jump in the number of dentistry practices growing rapidly – and many are looking to grow their business further, from investing in new machinery or expanding premises.

“New technology in this area is paving the way for expansion in the sector, as innovative solutions are helping to fulfil Scotland’s desire for the ‘perfect’ smile.

“Our team of relationship experts and sector specialists across the UK are trained to support entrepreneurs and fast-growing businesses to make sure they also have something to smile about.”

Tara Diamond, Diamond Dental Care owner and practice principal, said: “I’ve seen an increase in the number of patients wanting cosmetic dentistry, with many providing a celebrity picture of their dream smile. This trend isn’t limited to any particular group, with people of all ages being keen to have the perfect smile.

“The support received from Barclays has been instrumental in enabling the practice to keep up with demand and grow. Barclays’ relationship manager Grant McNally has been really helpful and highlighted where the bank could support me to drive the business forward and increase growth through its specialist offering for SMEs.”