EXCLUSIVE
By Tom Betts
Two new dental surgeries opening on the isle.
One will be in Broadstairs and the other in Cliftonville as the NHS tries to provide extra dental care for more Thanet people.
NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent has approved new contracts for NHS dental services as part of a £4.5 million investment in dentistry in the eastern and coastal Kent area.
The trust’s chief executive, Ann Sutton, said: “Dental provision is a real issue for people, so I am delighted this extra money will make a significant improvement in dental-health services in Thanet.”
Dentalpol Ltd has been awarded the £675,000 contract, which will start in December.
The surgery at Northdown Road, Cliftonville, will employ four full-time dentists and one part-time.
At Broadstairs the contract for £340,000 was also awarded to Dentalpol and will again start in December.
Two dentists will be based in Broadstairs High Street.
Both surgeries will be open from 8am to 5pm on Monday and Tuesday, 10am to 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 5pm on Fridays and 9am to midday on Saturdays.
A new dental helpdesk has also gone live.
It is designed to help people locate an NHS dentist and the helpline is also able to provide non-clinical advice.
It will help people who don’t have a dentist get emergency dental treatment and explain NHS treatment charges.
There will be information on how to access specialist dental services such as orthodontics and domiciliary dental care.
People needing NHS dental treatment or a check-up can phone the number free on 0808 238 9797, or you can text 0794 309 1958 for a call back.
The helpline is open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Bill Millar, head of primary and community care commissioning, said: “Patients have been telling us they can’t find an NHS dentist, so we have invested £4.5 million in dentistry in eastern and coastal Kent, including Cliftonville and Broadstairs.
“This is a major investment aimed at making sure residents have access to NHS dental treatment in areas of greatest need and I am delighted that this extra money will make a significant improvement in dental health services.”
POSTED: 19/11/2009 18:07:07
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