Residents of Towcester in Northamptonshire have been given access to local NHS dental care for the first time in 10 years after a new dental practice opened its doors to NHS patients .
The Bridge Dental Practice opened to private patients last November, but only started accepting patients on the NHS yesterday (June 8) after being awarded the contract to provide NHS dental services by the Northants Teaching Primary Care Trust .
More than 1,000 patients have already registered with the practice, with practice chiefs saying they received around 700 completed registration forms on the first day.
Diane Fenton, head of dentistry and practitioner services for NHS Northamptonshire said: "We are delighted with the opening of the new practice and that local people will now be able to attend as NHS patients ."
"The opening is in line with our overall strategic plan to improve dental healthcare access within local communities."
Towcester Mayor, Councillor Chris Lofts, added: "It has been a long time since we had an NHS dental practice in Towcester and it is brilliant news, particularly for those who find it difficult to travel."
Following the opening of the dental centre, NHS Northamptonshire released a statement saying investment was being made to increase the availability of dental services across the county with at least five new practices scheduled to open this year.
It added that the new practices, along with others, will be open for longer hours in response to feedback from the county’s patients .
