NHS England reveals plans to open new dental practice in Bicester

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NHS England has revealed plans to open a dental practice in Bicester.

In the last two years, a growing number of patients have struggled to join NHS dental registers in the local area, but access problems could soon be a thing of the past, as both NHS and private clinics are due to open in the coming months. NHS England has confirmed that a new practice will open in October, and an application to open a new private dental clinic has recently been submitted to planning officers at Cherwell District Council. The application was made on behalf of Portman Dental Care, which is based in Cheltenham, and relates to a vacant unit in Pioneer Square. It is believed that the surgery would focus on private orthodontic treatment, but that some NHS services would also be made available.

Currently, there are only four practices serving the town, and this has contributed to a shortage of dental places. The new NHS surgery is due to open in autumn, and health bosses are hoping that it will make a major difference to local services, enabling hundreds of people to access NHS dental care without having to travel. As yet, no decision has been about the provider of the NHS contract and applications are under review.

Richard Maynard, spokesman for Healthwatch Oxfordshire, said that NHS England had accelerated the process of expanding services after local residents raised concerns over a lack of access to dental treatment.

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