THREE new dental practices opening in Somerset will help up to 20,000 people access NHS care.

Wellington Dental Care (run by Dentistry For You) began treating patients in October, while One Smile Dental, in Chard, saw its first patients this week.

A further practice, in Crewkerne, is set to begin seeing patients from the spring.

Together, NHS Somerset said the new practices will provide care for up to 20,000 people each year.

The first patient to be treated at the new Chard practice was Paige Aherne, of Henson Park in the town, who said: “It was really exciting to get the call and be offered an appointment for the next day.

“I have had toothache for so long and it does have an impact on your mental health. I broke my tooth before the pandemic and I haven’t had NHS dental care since about 2018.

“The staff were brilliant and very welcoming. It’s good for Chard and great to have this on the doorstep.”

Also among the first patients was Emily Farr, of Chard, who said: “It’s a huge relief to have this here. I’ve had problems with a tooth for three to four years. I have looked at private treatment, but the costs are in the thousands. This is very positive for Chard.”

Around 8,000 people have expressed an interest in an appointment at the new practice via an online portal, or by phone for people without internet access, with more than half of those coming from Chard and the surrounding villages.

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Farha Mohamed, a partner at One Smile Dental, said: “We have been made to feel really welcome here in Chard and we’re really looking forward to meeting more and more of our patients. We’re really keen to get involved in the local community.

“Our focus is on doing our best for local people. We know not everyone who wanted an appointment has been able to get one, but we really want to open access to more people – hopefully in mid-2026 – once we have seen our initial group of patients.”

The practices in Chard and Wellington were formally opened by the MPs for their respective areas, Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat, Yeovil) and Gideon Amos (Liberal Democrat, Taunton and Wellington).

Yeovil MP Adam Dance cut the ribbon to formally open One Smile Dental Chard on December 4 and said: “I am delighted to see this new NHS dental practice opening in Chard. Access to local, affordable dental care is essential for people’s health and wellbeing, and this new practice will make a real difference to families across the area.

“We all know that NHS dentistry has faced significant challenges in recent years, so it is very welcome to see new capacity coming into the community.

“I am grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have for patients in Chard and the surrounding
area.”

MP Gideon Amos cuts the ribbon at the new dentist in Wellington

Meanwhile, Wellington Dental Care marked its official opening today (December 5). Taunton and Wellington MP Gideon Amos was joined by Jonathan Higman, chief executive of NHS Somerset, for the occasion.

Gideon said: “It is great to have a new NHS dental practice in Wellington. I am very impressed with the commitment of the partners to providing affordable NHS treatment.

“It’s also positive that Dentistry For You has been able to create local employment opportunities and bring new dentists and therapists offering NHS services to Wellington.

“I know from my recent dental survey and conversations on doorsteps that improving access to NHS dentistry, especially for children, is very important to local people – and I have been working with NHS Somerset’s leaders to make sure local voices are heard.

“With other NHS practices also opening in Chard and Crewkerne, it is a step in the right direction for Somerset, but we still need additional NHS dental capacity for local
people.”

Mr Higman added: “We are delighted to partner with Dentistry For You and One Smile Dental, both of whom are committed to providing high-quality NHS dental care for patients with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at their new practices.

“Good oral health is a fundamental to the overall wellbeing of our communities, yet access to NHS dental services remains a significant challenge.

“Improving access has been a central priority for NHS Somerset since we took on responsibility for commissioning dental care.

“One of our key focuses is ensuring that patients with urgent dental needs can receive the care and treatment they require when they need it.

“We are committed to supporting the Government’s mandate to deliver an additional 700,000 urgent care appointments each year across the country. For Somerset, this means an additional 13,500 urgent care appointments to be made available across the county.”

Dentistry For You group manager, Elizabeth Fernandez, said: “We are very pleased to have been working with NHS Somerset to be able to offer the people of Wellington quality, NHS care and to have an opportunity to meet our patients and be part of the Wellington community.

“Since opening in mid-October we have already been able to accept expressions of interest for NHS dental care from over 4,000 patients. As soon as we can, we will be reopening our online portal again, so that thousands more patients will be able to access NHS care”.

Both practices are offering NHS and private dentistry, though neither practice is currently accepting new expressions of interest. Anyone with urgent dental care needs should call 111.