New NHS dentists for 6,000 patients (From Daily Echo)

New NHS dentists for 6,000 patients

5:21pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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A NEW DENTAL surgery is about to open its doors to 6,000 NHS patients, the Daily Echo can reveal.

It is hoped the Copse Lane Dental Surgery, in Hamble, will improve services in one of Hampshire’s dental blackspots.

The £400,000 practice is part of a £4m NHS Hampshire investment to boost facilities across the county.

The new practice will be “a godsend”

for the village according to Hamble Parish Council.

Kate Muffett, council clerk, said: “This is brilliant news and will make a big difference.

I know some people who travel to Southampton and beyond to see a dentist, one woman goes as far as Chichester.

“An NHS dentist was one of the things the people of Hamble have been crying out for and I think it will certainly be welcomed.”

She went on to say the council polled the village last year to find out what people thought the village needed and 85 per cent said an NHS dentist.

Dental boss Natalie Jones said: “Hamble was identified as a priority area.

“There are always places in Hampshire but they have to be close, we can’t expect people to travel miles.

“This is excellent news for people in the area who will now have a dentist close to hand.”

The practice will open on July 20 but is taking on patients immediately.

The 6,000 new patients will be taken on in batches over the next two years.

To register call the dental helpline on 0845 050 8345. People who turn up at the surgery directly will not be registered.

Linda Nicholas, 30, of Hamble, is one of just a handful to put her name down so far.

She told the Daily Echo: “This is great news for my fiancé and I and I’m sure a lot of people in Hamble.

“We moved here two years ago and have to travel to Titchfield which is at least a 15 to 20 minute drive in morning rush hour.

“Finding a dentist close to us was quite difficult as nearby practices were all full up.”