THE dentist's chair.

The bright light, the broad spectrum of tools, the whizzing sound as the infamous drill begins re-shaping molars.

For many, its enough to send shivers down the spine and cause a mass exit from the waiting room.

But for Paul Averley, this is work, and while his colleagues work on re-building mouths and creating that perfect smile, he's busy expanding his business.

The 46-year-old, who also represents Great Britain in sailing events across the world, bought Queensway Dental Clinic, in Billingham, near Stockton, in 1994, when it had just four surgeries.

Now it deals with about 1,000 patients every day, from people undergoing dental work, to the many phone calls from others looking to make appointments.

Paul, who is married to Lucy and has three daughters, Martha, 20, Alice 17, and 15-year-old Madeleine, qualified from Newcastle University's School of Dental Sciences in 1990, a move inspired after leafing through a courses handbook at sixth form college.

His business, where he is a managing partner, employs about 120 people, and has now opened a dental laboratory, education centre and advanced dentistry centre to improve oral health across the region, and he says he couldn't be happier with its progress.

He said: “The clinic was being sold as a going concern and it was a good opportunity for me to take control and try to make a difference and improve an area that had one of the poorest dental rates in the country.

“Billingham has been a great place because not only did it offer the opportunity to start somewhere, it has allowed for expansion too.

“I like to be hands-on and artistic, and like working with people, and when I looked through the UCAS book at dentistry it just stood out to me as a really appealing career.

“From that moment on I've strived to be the best I can be in this industry.”

Being the best is an attitude which courses through his veins, not least with his career as an international sailor in his flying fifteen racing craft.

He competes alongside friend Steve Douthwaite, and the duo are heading to Hong Kong later this year for the world championships after a successful effort in a national competition at Weymouth.

Throwing yourself around in a keelboat in strong winds might not be everyone's idea of fun, but for Paul, who lives in Gosforth, Newcastle, and has travelled as far as Melbourne to compete, it's the perfect way to relax.

He said: “It is a great tonic to the stresses and strains of the being the boss.

“I don't class myself as an athlete, but getting into a flying fifteen is something that I can do on a weekend and it is thoroughly enjoyable.

“It is incredibly tough both physically and mentally and the technical side is also difficult, and you are competing for long periods of time.

“But while it can be gruelling, it is incredibly exciting and being able to get out on the open water is an exhilarating feeling.”

Favourite North-East building and why? The ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, in Northumberland. It’s pretty spectacular as it juts out to the sea on the headland.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? I worked for a frozen chicken processing factory in 1984. I was paid £1.15 an hour. It was a summer holiday job when I was finishing school in Northern Ireland.

What is the worst job you’ve had? See above. I was a general dogsbody, transporting chicken carcasses, once processed into the chiller using a fork lift truck. The temperature was -20C, but at least I got to wear a snorkel jacket.

What would you cook for me if I came round for dinner? Chicken liver salad starter, barbecued trout with jersey royals, asparagus and cheese and biscuits. Fortunately, I don’t like puddings.

What would your superpower be? Better self-control with Bombay mix and crisps.

Name four people dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party? My late grandfather, Peter Bostock, who has been a great role model and mentor to me. To keep him company, I would invite Nelson Mandela, as I think they would have good banter. I’d like to get to know Michelle Pfeiffer a bit better and Chris Martin could be on piano.

Favourite book? I read the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which I recently saw being staged at the Apollo in London and it was excellent. Favourite animal and why? Archie, my Brittany dog. He gets me out to the beach and countryside at weekends and on the rare day that I finish work early.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? I’d love to tell you that I have a number of celebrity clients, but I can’t work my mobile phone.

What was the last band you saw live? Coldplay at the Sunderland Stadium of Light with my three lovely daughters. Despite it being wet, it was so much fun.

Describe your perfect night in. Sunday evening on the sofa with my dog. We watch CountryFile followed by Antiques Roadshow. If only they could re-schedule Top Gear.

What is your greatest achievement? Firstly, developing and providing conscious sedation techniques for children who require dental treatment and would otherwise need to be referred to hospital for a general anaesthetic. Over the past ten years these techniques delivered a cost effective and safe service. I have also set up the team, facilities and infrastructure at our Billingham Clinic and prevented 40,000 children from undergoing general anaesthesia in hospitals. My second greatest achievement was coming fifth place in one of the championship races at the flying fifteen international sailing event in Melbourne.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Richard Gere. Surely he must always get asked dental advice.

What’s the best thing about living in the North-East? It feels like home. There are masses of local culture and if all else fails we have an international airport.

What’s your favourite day out in the North-East? Getting my whole family together and taking Archie for a walk on one of the spectacular beaches.