INNOVATIVE new technology is coming to York to take the fear out of a visit to the dentist.

Two surgeries in the York area have made a huge investment in state-of-the-art machinery which will help to make obsolete the much-feared dentist's drill.

Dentists Karen McDermott, of High Petergate, York, and Victor Brookes, of Haxby, have both just bought the new Healozone machine bringing the latest technology to the city.

Karen said: "It is a very new development in dentistry, I believe we will be one of only 20 surgeries across the UK offering the treatment, and we are very excited about it.

"It is such an interesting idea, to be honest, even as a dentist, I think it is absolutely amazing."

The American invention first hit UK shores last summer after being developed and tested in Belfast.

The procedure works by flushing a decayed tooth with Ozone gas which kills the bacteria causing the damage.

The procedure takes between 10 to 40 seconds, is entirely painless and costs about £40 to £60.

Special mineral toothpaste then helps the tooth to repair itself without the need for fillings and, more crucially, the dentist's drill.

Lucy Frost is the specialist at Karen McDermott's surgery.

She said: "I have used the process a few times now, it is a really interesting area for me to look at, it is quite different from anything we have used before, and so simple."

Mr Brookes said: "I have already been using the procedure for a few weeks, and it is proving very popular. We are using it every day, and everyone who we have offered the alternative of this or the drill has chosen this.

"It is simple, painless and quick. I think it's a real winner."

Patient Dan Graver, 16, had just had the treatment for the first time.

He said: "I thought it was going to take much longer and be far more complicated than it was.

"I asked her 'is that it?'. I couldn't believe it.

"I hate fillings, I think I have only had one in my life, and if this works hopefully I will never have to have any more."

Updated: 09:11 Thursday, May 01, 2003