Sir, we all choose where we would like to live and work for our own reasons. I don`t know what manner of lifestyle David Westgarth would wish on a new graduate, but the tone of his article suggests that he favours that they choose NHS practices in London.

In 1986 as a recent graduate I saw friends working in high volume NHS practices in Colchester and London looking burnt out after six months. I took my first job in Windermere in 1986 and stayed here. Cumbria is a wonderful place to bring up a family. It is dismissive to suggest '…that's fine if you want to don your hiking boots and head out with Kendal mint cake… It doesn`t scream appeal.' I would disagree. The prospect of a 40 minute each way commute from central London to affordable housing in Chelmsford sounds grim in comparison to my 20-minute journey on open roads from Kendal (cheaper housing, easy access to the west coast main line and the M6).

In 2003 we converted our practice from 100% NHS to private and immediately enjoyed increased freedom from the constraints of the NHS. We introduced implant services and hygienists. Professionally a much more satisfying way to work than being a slave to UDAs, targets and their previous equivalents. We can spend time with patients discussing their needs and expectations and using the best materials and labs to deliver their care. At the end of the working day Cumbria has Michelin star restaurants, pubs and microbreweries, open spaces, rivers and mountains for all manner of recreation. We have good schools both Private and state run. The fleshpots of Manchester are a mere 80 miles away down the M6 when mega shopping and Old Trafford call. NHS practices in London and the south are valued at around 200% of turnover, private practices in Cumbria about 100% of turnover are a comparative bargain. For those able to lift their eyes away from the South, forget about NHS dentistry in London and embrace a better life, Cumbria has a lot to offer to both the associate and the practice buyer.

A. Morgan, Morgan Dental, Windermere, via email.

Editor's note

It is with great interest and irony I read the above letter. I know that Cumbria is a wonderful place to bring up a family. I know about the open spaces, the microbreweries, the Michelin star restaurants.

I know this because I myself am Cumbrian born and bred. I bear no grudges, having enjoyed a fantastic upbringing in the county before seeking pastures new in 2008. And for these very reasons I can also objectively discuss the benefits and drawbacks, with the help of data and analytics, for the benefit of readers.