At Paste Dental on Dublin Road in Belfast, skilled practitioners Dr. Alan Clarke and Dr. Benji Hawthorne bring together years of specialized training and clinical expertise to serve patients across County Antrim. Their combined knowledge spans a comprehensive range of dental disciplines, allowing the practice to address everything from routine preventive care to complex restorative procedures under one roof. This depth of professional experience has established Paste Dental as a trusted destination for families seeking thorough, evidence-based dental treatment. The practice’s commitment to staying current with evolving techniques ensures that patients benefit from both seasoned judgment and modern approaches to oral health.
Our Practice in Historic Belfast
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, has a rich history dating back to its origins as a small settlement in the early 17th century. The city grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, becoming one of the world’s leading shipbuilding centres and the birthplace of the famous RMS Titanic in 1911. Throughout the 19th century, Belfast earned the nickname “Linenopolis” due to its dominant role in the global linen trade. The city’s Victorian and Edwardian architecture still stands today as a testament to this prosperous era.
Modern Belfast has transformed into a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that balances its industrial heritage with contemporary culture and innovation. The city now serves as Northern Ireland’s economic and cultural hub, home to thriving arts scenes, world-class restaurants, and the prestigious Titanic Quarter. With a population of over 340,000 residents, Belfast continues to grow while maintaining its distinctive character and charm.
What makes Belfast truly special for its residents is the strong sense of community and resilience that defines the city. The welcoming nature of Belfast’s people, combined with excellent local amenities and a growing reputation as a destination city, creates an environment where families and businesses alike can thrive.
Affidea Stadium near Paste Dental
Did you know that beneath the roar of 18,196 rugby fans at Affidea Stadium lies a touching memorial arch dedicated to Irish rugby players who fell in both World Wars? This historic venue at 134 Mount Merrion Avenue has been the beating heart of Ulster Rugby since 1924, when the Irish Rugby Football Union purchased it for just £2,300—a bargain that has paid dividends for a century of thrilling matches in Belfast.
When you visit this south Belfast landmark, you’re stepping into living history. The stadium offers pre-booked guided tours that take you behind the scenes through all four stands, into the home and away changing rooms, down the player tunnel, and right to the pitch-side dugouts where coaches make game-changing decisions. You’ll also explore a massive 7,000 square foot professional gym and discover public art installations that celebrate Ulster’s rich rugby heritage.
With an impressive 4.7-star rating from 2,462 reviewers, Affidea Stadium delivers an electric atmosphere on match days. The venue hosts not just Ulster Rugby’s men’s, women’s, and academy teams, but also Ireland international fixtures and community events that bring the local Belfast rugby community together. The stadium received a fresh identity in July 2025 when European healthcare provider Affidea secured long-term naming rights, and it was recently honored with a blue plaque commemorating legendary player Jack Kyle.
The stadium’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond the pitch, making rugby accessible through schools’ competitions and public events throughout the year. Just a short distance from Paste Dental on Dublin Road, it’s the perfect spot to experience world-class rugby and Northern Ireland sporting culture. After cheering on Ulster Rugby, remember that protecting your smile requires the same dedication as those athletes show on the field—regular check-ups keep your dental game strong!
Meet Their Dentists
At Paste Dental, the team is dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care through innovative techniques, cutting-edge technology, and a genuine commitment to creating outstanding healthcare experiences. Located on Dublin Road in Belfast, the practice combines clinical excellence with a warm, patient-centered approach that puts comfort and quality at the forefront of every visit.
Dr. Alan Clarke: As the practice owner and clinical lead at Paste Dental Belfast, Dr. Clarke brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial vision to cosmetic dentistry, utilizing global techniques and advanced technology to deliver transformative results while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
Our Dental Services
Paste Dental, conveniently located at 23 Dublin Road in Belfast, is dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care that combines aesthetic excellence with essential oral health services. The practice offers a thoughtful blend of advanced cosmetic treatments and fundamental general dentistry to help patients achieve and maintain their ideal smiles.
For patients seeking to straighten their teeth discreetly, Paste Dental offers Invisalign treatment, a modern alternative to traditional braces that uses clear, removable aligners to gradually shift teeth into their desired positions. This innovative approach allows individuals to improve their smile alignment without the visibility and inconvenience of metal brackets and wires, making it an ideal choice for both adults and teens who want to maintain a natural appearance throughout their orthodontic journey.
The practice excels in transformative cosmetic dentistry, offering several solutions to enhance the appearance of patients’ smiles. Digital cosmetic bonding provides a versatile option for correcting minor imperfections such as chips, gaps, or discoloration, using tooth-colored composite material that is carefully sculpted and shaped to create natural-looking results. For more comprehensive smile transformations, veneers offer a remarkable solution by covering the front surface of teeth with thin, custom-made shells that can address multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously, including shape, size, color, and alignment issues.
Beyond cosmetic enhancements, Paste Dental maintains a strong foundation in general dentistry to ensure patients’ oral health remains in optimal condition. Regular dental cleanings and check-ups form the cornerstone of preventive care, allowing the dental team to remove built-up plaque and tartar while monitoring for any potential issues before they develop into more serious problems. These routine appointments are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, preventing decay, and catching concerns early when they are most easily treatable.
Why Choose Paste Dental
Choosing Paste Dental means selecting a practice that prioritizes both innovation and patient comfort in equal measure. The practice understands that modern dentistry requires more than clinical expertise—it demands a thoughtful approach that puts patients at ease throughout their entire experience.
At the heart of their approach is advanced digital technology, which transforms traditional dental procedures into precise, efficient treatments. This commitment to cutting-edge solutions means patients benefit from shorter appointment times, enhanced accuracy, and more predictable outcomes. The integration of digital tools allows the team to visualize treatment plans clearly and communicate options effectively.
What truly sets the practice apart is their dedication to personalized care. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, they take time to understand each patient’s unique concerns and goals. This patient-focused philosophy ensures that every treatment plan is tailored specifically to individual needs, creating a dental experience that feels collaborative rather than prescriptive.
Schedule an Appointment with Them Today!
If you’re ready to take the next step toward better oral health, Dr. Alan Clarke and Dr. Benji Hawthorne at Paste Dental in Belfast are here to help. Whether you need a routine checkup, cosmetic enhancement, or restorative treatment, their team provides comprehensive dental care tailored to your individual needs.
Getting started is simple. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or book your appointment directly online. The team at Paste Dental looks forward to welcoming you and helping you achieve the healthy, confident smile you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Invisalign and how does it differ from traditional braces?
Invisalign is a modern alternative to traditional braces that Paste Dental offers for patients seeking to straighten their teeth discreetly. This innovative treatment uses clear, removable aligners to gradually shift teeth into their desired positions. Unlike traditional metal brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, making them an ideal choice for both adults and teens who want to improve their smile alignment while maintaining a natural appearance throughout their orthodontic journey. The removable nature of the aligners also means patients can continue to eat their favorite foods and maintain their regular oral hygiene routine without the inconvenience associated with traditional braces.
What types of cosmetic issues can digital cosmetic bonding address?
Digital cosmetic bonding at Paste Dental provides a versatile solution for correcting minor imperfections in your smile. This procedure can effectively address issues such as chips, gaps between teeth, or tooth discoloration. The treatment involves using tooth-colored composite material that is carefully sculpted and shaped to create natural-looking results. This makes cosmetic bonding an excellent option for patients who want to improve the appearance of their smile without undergoing more extensive procedures, offering a conservative yet effective approach to enhancing dental aesthetics.
How do veneers differ from cosmetic bonding for smile transformations?
While both veneers and cosmetic bonding are cosmetic dentistry options available at Paste Dental, veneers offer a more comprehensive solution for smile transformations. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front surface of teeth and can address multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously, including shape, size, color, and alignment issues. This makes them particularly suitable for patients seeking more dramatic or extensive smile makeovers. In contrast, digital cosmetic bonding is typically used for correcting minor imperfections. The choice between these treatments depends on the extent of the aesthetic concerns and the desired outcome for each individual patient.
Why are regular dental cleanings and check-ups important for oral health?
Regular dental cleanings and check-ups form the cornerstone of preventive care at Paste Dental and are essential for maintaining optimal oral health. During these routine appointments, the dental team removes built-up plaque and tartar that cannot be eliminated through regular brushing and flossing alone. These visits also allow the dentists to monitor for any potential issues before they develop into more serious problems. By catching concerns early when they are most easily treatable, regular check-ups help prevent decay, maintain healthy teeth and gums, and can save patients from more extensive and costly treatments down the line. This proactive approach is fundamental to long-term oral health maintenance.
How does Paste Dental’s use of digital technology benefit patients?
Paste Dental’s commitment to advanced digital technology transforms traditional dental procedures into precise, efficient treatments that directly benefit patients in several ways. The integration of cutting-edge digital tools means patients experience shorter appointment times, as procedures can be completed more efficiently without compromising quality. The technology also enhances accuracy in diagnosis and treatment planning, leading to more predictable outcomes. Additionally, digital visualization allows the dental team to clearly show patients their treatment options and help them understand their dental care plan, making the entire experience more collaborative and transparent. This combination of efficiency, precision, and improved communication creates a superior dental experience that prioritizes both clinical excellence and patient comfort.