Smiles all round as surgery opens

NHS dental care is being made available for thousands of patients at a new surgery.

Milehouse Dental Practice has just opened in Brock Way, Knutton, and aims to recruit at least 8,000 NHS patients.

The practice, which has three dentists, will cater primarily for patients living in the Cross Heath, Knutton, Silverdale and Parksite areas of Newcastle.

A study two years ago identified these areas, which have above average rates of dental problems, as priority zones.

NHS North Staffordshire accepted a bid from Northampton-based Rodericks to open a new practice last year.

Jan Butterworth, head of primary care commissioning and development for NHS North Staffordshire, said: "The practice is a welcome addition to the area and will complement the Milehouse Primary Care Centre.

"The facilities are first class and will provide accessible dental care for local residents."

The practice provides a comprehensive range of NHS and private dental treatments, and will open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Eileen Braithwaite, chairman of Silverdale Parish Council, pictured below, supported the plans to open the practice in Brock Way.

She said: "It's wonderful news that this dental practice has now opened on that site.

"I've been signed up with an NHS dentist in Stoke, because there wasn't any around here, and the same is true of my family.

"But now lots of people in Silverdale and Knutton will be able to walk to their dentist."

NHS Stoke-on-Trent plans to set up new dental practices in the Hartshill and Penkhull, and Stoke and Trent Vale wards early next year.

Once open, these practices should cater for an additional 20,000 NHS patients.

Ian Syme, co-ordinator for North Staffordshire Health Watch, believes new NHS dental services are needed in the area.

He said: "There has been a paucity of NHS dentists in the past, not only in North Staffordshire but across the country, but the PCTs have had extra money and they are now starting to develop services.

"There are still lots of people who have problems accessing NHS dentists, but we have at least got movement towards addressing that.

"The recession might be having an effect on people signing up with a dentist, but an NHS dentist is certainly cheaper than a private one."

Mr Syme added that help in paying for NHS dental treatment was available to those on benefits and with low incomes.

NHS North Staffordshire is also planning to set up a new dental practice in Leek, and it will be going out to tender early next year.

Anyone living in Cross Heath, Knutton, Silverdale or Parksite who wishes to register with Milehouse Dental Practice, should call 01782 627531.