The number of people visiting an NHS dentist in Calderdale, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, has risen considerably over the past two years, according to new figures.
Data from the NHS shows that a total of 127,029 patients have had a dental health check-up with an NHS dentist since autumn 2008 - an increase of more than 12,000 from the previous two-year total.
Patients in the Halifax area have also had access to out-of-hours emergency treatment provided by the Laura Mitchell Health Centre, which has helped reduce the number of dental admissions at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Matt Walsh, medical director for NHS Calderdale, said he was delighted that more people than ever are seeing an NHS dentist .
"We are delivering a high quality local dental service that has ensured all Calderdale residents known to seek NHS dental care have been able to do so," he commented.
"The number of people being treated by a NHS dentist in Calderdale continues to rise and we have achieved this within our budget. We have robust plans in place to maintain and improve access to NHS dentists even further."
Shabinah Ahmed, from Beechwood Health Centre in Ovenden – one of the 28 NHS dental practices in the Halifax area – said: "I've always wanted to do something for the community and I knew there had been a shortage of NHS dentists in the past. That's why I opened up a practice in Ovenden."
"We take on new patients and do everything we can to make them feel comfortable."
