A new dental practice offering NHS care has officially opened in Wellington – the first launch in Somerset for ten years.
Wellington Dental Care, operated by Dentistry For You, is part of NHS Somerset’s plan to improve access to NHS dental services across the county.
Two additional practices are set to open in Chard and Crewkerne, with dates to be confirmed soon.
The Wellington site – located on Lowmoor Industrial Estate at Tonedale – will offer both NHS and private appointments, with our town chosen due to high local demand for NHS dental care.
Nearly 4,000 people have registered for an appointment and the demand has been so high that the list is currently suspended.
Nadeem Harunani, the company’s admin director, said: “We are working our way through the first tranche and have so far contacted 400 patients to offer them appointments.
“Once we have been through the current list, we will be able to open it up again.”
He was keen to stress that, while everyone was offered an NHS appointment, not every treatment was available under the NHS, adding: “That applies mainly to cosmetic work.”
Wellington’s MP, Gideon Amos, welcomed the opening, saying: “The country, and Wellington and Taunton in particular, desperately needs and wants to see our NHS put back where it should be – that was my main campaign in the General Election. So, I’m delighted we have now got the result we wanted, a new NHS dentist for our area.
“A lot more needs to be done, but this is a great first step for the far too many who became locked out of NHS dental provision in recent years”.
One of the first patients, Heather Bubb, from West Buckland (pictured being treated), shared her experience:
“I am on a pension and with the cost of living rising fast, I have struggled to afford to pay for private dental care. I never thought that getting old, having paid my tax and NI throughout my working life, I would be in this situation.
‘Last year, I struggled to pay for my private dental care out of my pension and when I got a quote of £5,649 for further treatment, I couldn’t afford it and had to stop treatment.
“I am so grateful to have a new local dentist that is offering NHS appointments and that my husband and myself will now be able to access NHS dental care locally.
“I had my check up on 13 October and had a very comfortable experience with a delightful lady dentist upstairs, who said all was fine.”
Sukeina Kassam, NHS Somerset’s Director of Primary Care, said: “We recognise that one practice can’t meet all of Somerset’s demand but this marks a really exciting step forward for the town — helping thousands more people access the NHS dental care they deserve.
“It’s one of several important initiatives we’re introducing to strengthen and expand NHS dentistry across Somerset.”
Elizabeth Fernandez, Operations Manager at Dentistry For You, added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming patients to the new practice in Wellington. We have been able to create employment opportunities for the local community and bring new dentists into Somerset offering NHS dental care.
“Once the practice is established, we are planning to reopen for people to express an interest in NHS dental appointments and will work with NHS Somerset and other local partners to keep people up to date.”
The practice will not be accepting in-person registrations at the premises, and patients without a pre-booked appointment will be turned away.
For more information visit Wellington Dental Care – DentistryForYou – NHS Somerset ICB
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