New NHS dentist to open in 'dental desert'

Wellington Dental Care will start accepting NHS patients from mid-October

A new dental practice in a "dental desert" will begin accepting NHS patients from the area from mid-October, health bosses have confirmed.

Wellington Dental Care in Lowmoor Industrial Estate will start allowing patients to book appointments within weeks, with a formal opening expected before Christmas.

NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it had been striving to increase NHS appointments within "dental deserts", which are areas with very limited access to NHS dentistry.

Wellington Dental Care and NHS Somerset will contact people in the area to encourage them to register an interest in the practice, with a leaflet drop expected to be carried out via Royal Mail over the coming weeks.

Details of the new practice in Wellington were mooted in February, but the opening was delayed after the first choice of premises was found to have contained asbestos.

Dr Bernie Marden, chief medical officer at NHS Somerset, said: "We know the Wellington area needs improved NHS dental provision.

"The opening is part of a package of measures we are introducing to improve access to NHS dentistry."

Wellington Dental Care will be operated by DentistryForYou, creating up to 12 jobs, and will be open for both NHS and private appointments, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

DentistryForYou group manager Elizabeth Fernandez said she is "delighted" and looking forward to welcoming patients.

"Demand is expected to be very high, and while we will do our best to accommodate everyone, we may need to limit online expressions of interest if numbers exceed capacity," she added.

NHS Somerset is expected to provide updates in the coming months on similar new practices which will open in Crewkerne and Chard.