Third NHS dental practice opens to meet demand

The opening of a new NHS dental practice at which more than 4,500 people requested an appointment has been described as a "really important" development.

Crewkerne Dental Care, in Market Street, is the third NHS practice to open in Somerset in the past eight months, with the others in Wellington and Chard.

Patient Chris Emmerson, the chairperson of the local business community group, said it was "an excellent provision that has been well needed for the local community."

Sukeina Kassam, the director of primary care at NHS Somerset, said seeing patients using the facilities was "heart warming".

NHS Somerset said three new practices will provide care for up to 20,000 people each year.

Dr Nadeem Harunani, the admin director of DentistryForYou, which runs the practice, said: "Having opened in Wellington last year, we're already aware of the overwhelming demand in the area."

When an online portal opened in April for people to express an interest in an appointment, 4,577 requests were made in a matter of hours.

About 70% of those came from people living in Crewkerne and surrounding postcodes.

Harunani added: "To open and get over all of the hurdles we faced is a huge relief and we are all super excited."

Crewkerne was chosen for the practice as one of the areas of the county where more NHS appointments are most needed.

Patient John Clothier lives in the town and has not seen a dentist for five years.

"We were with another dentist who went private so that was kicking out time. I haven't been able to get anywhere until today.

"It's been great. The whole experience this morning has been fantastic."

Kassam said: "We're at the start of the journey. We know that we've got a long way to go but it's really nice to be able to come and see patients being seen and it's very heart warming."

Adam Dance, the Liberal Democrat MP for the Yeovil constituency, which includes Crewkerne, said: "Alongside the recent opening of another NHS practice in Chard, this represents welcome progress for Somerset.

"Demand continues to outstrip capacity, and too many local people are still finding it difficult to access an NHS dentist.

"I know how important this issue is to residents, and I will continue working to ensure that people across the constituency have fair and reliable access to NHS dental care close to home," he added.

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