AN industrial unit on a Wellington business park is being converted to accommodate a new dental practice which is expected to start taking NHS patients from December.

The Harunani and Co Group already has 21 other practices in London, Essex, East Sussex, Norfolk, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and Exeter.

Now, it is moving into premises on the Lowmoor Business Park, in Tonedale, formerly used by a retail concept management company.

The group, which trades under the brand DentistryForYou, has been has been chosen by NHS Somerset as its preferred provider for NHS services in the Wellington area.

Its opening will bring an end to four years of the town’s NHS ‘dental desert’ status, which has seen all other local dentists tell patients on their lists that they have to pay for private treatment or leave.

A recorded telephone message at the dental surgery tells callers: “DentistryForYou is proud to announce the opening of our new practice in Wellington.

“DentistryForYou is working closely with NHS Somerset to cater to the oral health needs of the local community of Wellington and surrounding areas. “

The message tells callers to visit the firm’s website if they want to express an interest in registering with the practice as an NHS patient.

On its website, the company states: “All dentists in the practice take part in continuing professional education, meeting the General Dental Council’s requirements.

“We aim to keep up-to-date with current thinking on all aspects of general dentistry, including preventive care which reduces your need for treatment.

“Our practice aims to provide dental care of a consistent quality, for all patients.

“We regularly ask patients for their views on our services.”

NHS Somerset chief medical officer Dr Bernie Marden has previously said the opening was part of the organisation’s ‘broader dental recovery plan’ which had a range of measures to improve access.