THE first dental practice to arrive in Wellington for a decade has now officially opened.

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.

The new practice is located in a converted unit on Lowmoor Industrial Estate, Tonedale. Demand for the service is already high, with nearly 4,000 people having registered with the new practice.

The Wellington site will offer both NHS and private appointments, with the location chosen due to the high demand.

The practice will not be accepting any in-person registrations at the premises, and patients without a pre-booked appointment will be turned away.

Sukeina Kassam, NHS Somerset’s director of primary care, said: “I’m delighted to announce the opening of this brand-new dental practice in Wellington, providing high-quality NHS dental care for the community.

“We recognise that one practice can’t meet all of Somerset’s demand, 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.”

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, added: “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”.

As part of NHS Somerset’s plans for improved dental access, practices are set to open in Chard and Crewkerne at a later date.