A new NHS dental practice is set to open in Wellington, offering much-needed care in an area long described as a “dental desert.”
Wellington Dental Care, based at Lowmoor Industrial Estate, will begin accepting NHS patients from mid-October. Appointments are expected to be available within weeks, with an official opening planned before Christmas.
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) said the launch is part of wider efforts to increase NHS appointments in areas where access to dentistry is scarce. Residents will soon receive information through a leaflet drop by Royal Mail, encouraging them to register their interest in the new practice.
Plans for the surgery were first announced in February. However, the opening was delayed when asbestos was found at the original site.
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.”
The practice will be run by DentistryForYou and will create up to 12 jobs. It will provide both NHS and private appointments, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Elizabeth Fernandez, group manager at DentistryForYou, said she was “delighted” with the development.
“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 said further updates will follow on new practices due to open in Crewkerne and Chard.