New Somerset practice first to offer NHS care for a decade

A new dental practice offering NHS dental care has officially opened in Wellington, marking the first such opening in Somerset in 10 years.

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.

Two additional practices are set to open in Chard and Crewkerne, with dates to be confirmed in the near future.

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

Local MP, Gideon Amos, praised the development, saying: “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”.

Patient, Heather Bubb, from West Buckland, added: “I am on a pension and with the cost of living rising fast, I have struggled to afford to pay for private dental care.

“I never thought that getting old, having paid my tax and National Insurance throughout my working life, that I would be in this situation.

“Last year, I struggled to pay for my private dental care out of my pension and when I got a quote of £5649 for further treatment, I couldn’t afford it and had to stop treatment.

“I am so grateful to have a new local dentist that is offering NHS appointments and that my husband and myself will now be able to access NHS dental care locally.”

And officially launching the practice, Sukeina Kassam, NHS Somerset’s director of primary care, said: “I’m delighted to announce the opening of this 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.”