BOLTON dentist Dr Zuber Bagasi looks like finishing 2013 much as he started it — by being in line for awards.

The 31-year-old dental expert from Lostock, who has five practices, scooped the Blackpool dentist of the year title earlier this year.

He then swiftly followed it up by being highly commended in the Bolton and Bury Business Awards’ Business Person of the Year category.

Now, Dr Bagasi’s Blackpool practice has been shortlisted for the North West’s best team and best practice accolade in the national Dentistry Awards run by FMC, a national dental publications company.

And Dr Bagasi has been shortlisted for the region’s best young dentist.

Dr Bagasi is clinical director of the Synergy Dental Clinics, which specialise in the latest dental technology and services including invisible braces, teeth whitening and veneers.

The group’s Bolton clinic was opened earlier this year in Blackburn Road and there is also a Synergy Dental clinic in Tenterden Street, Bury.

There is a Synergy practice in Blackpool and another in Birmingham.

Last year, he also opened a new practice in Paisley in Scotland.

Dr Bagasi has a special interest in dental implants and lectures on the subject as well as mentoring other dental implant surgeons throughout the country.

He is also a spokesman for his profession, with an interest in helping young dentists develop.

Last year, he won Highly Commended in the British Dental Association regional awards’ best young dentist category, and both he and his Blackpool practice have appeared regularly in the BDA awards’ best practice shortlist.

Dr Bagasi said: “It’s always really pleasing to be shortlisted for an award, mostly because it’s such a positive reflection of the staff excellence and the good value service they give to our clients.”

The Dentistry Awards will be presented at the Athena in Leicester in December.