Dental patients in Stroud, Gloucestershire, have welcomed the opening of a new NHS dental practice .
More than 600 local patients signed up for NHS dental care at the Archway Dental Practice yesterday as the surgery opened its doors to the public.
The new dental clinic has capacity for 8,000 patients meaning a further 7,200 places are now available for patients in the local area.
It has four surgeries equipped with the latest technology including a digital X-ray machine, and will have four dentists on duty from next week.
Steve Clarke, senior partner at Archway Dental Practice, said: "We have been very busy. We are trying to have availability for as many people as possible."
"We don't want people to leave private practices, it's all about choice. We are here to stay and we have a large capacity and plenty of provision."
Jan Stubbings, chief executive of NHS Gloucestershire, commented: "The opening of this practice is another important development for local people and is part of our ongoing commitment to invest in NHS dentistry and provide services as close to home as possible."
