Preston is one step closer to having new dental provision to meet the growing demand of people requiring routine care in the area.
The contract to provide the new dental service has been awarded NHS Central Lancashire’s Community Services Team and discussions are now underway to finalise the location of the new practice.
The permanent service is expected to receive patients from spring 2010 with an interim service delivered from a temporary site opening this month.
Once open the new permanent practice will have the capacity to treat over 9,000 patients in the area. Currently there are approximately 7,700 patients in Preston who have registered an interest to see an NHS dentist.
The access team will be contacting all these patients and offering appointments over the coming months and still have space for up to 1,600 new patients in the Preston area.
Janice Nicholson, head of dental commissioning, said: ‘We are delighted to introduce this new dental service into Preston. It is anticipated that this service will make a huge difference to the oral health of local residents by increasing access to NHS dentistry.
‘The new practice will significantly improve access to dentistry in Preston by giving thousands of local residents the opportunity of receiving regular dental care.’
If you would like to register your details with the service please call one of the dental access team on 01772 777397 or visit www.centrallancashire.nhs.uk/dental and register online.
Patients in need of emergency dental care are advised to call the PCT Dental Helpline on 01772 777397 or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
