Up to £1million is to be invested in creating over 10,000 places for NHS dental treatment in Essex.
The investment is being made by NHS Mid Essex as part of plans to meet one of its key targets of improving dental access for residents.
An additional £250,000 will also be invested in orthodontics in an effort to significantly reduce waiting times for treatment .
Health chiefs confirmed that a dedicated dental phone line will be set up to help cope with the expected surge in demand.
Sallie Mills Lewis, director of commissioning for NHS Mid Essex, commented: "We already have some of the best NHS dental provision in the East of England and we want to make sure everybody in mid Essex can benefit from it."
"The new package of investment, supported by the new dental telephone helpline, will ensure patients can find a local dentist providing NHS care .
She added that a series of children's oral health weeks will be held in the area early next year with the help of further NHS dentistry investment .
Details of all Essex dental practices offering NHS care can be found in the Mid Essex Dental information leaflet, which can be found in GP surgeries, hospitals, libraries, pharmacies, council offices and other public places.
