Two new NHS dental practices set to open on Teesside
Two new NHS dental practices are set to open on Teesside by the end of the year, NHS England has confirmed.
Local residents and MPs raised concerns about a lack of access to NHS dental care in the area, after Queensway Dental announced that it would cease to provide NHS dental services. The move affected up to 12,000 dental patients.
Initially, NHS England was hoping to find alternative providers by April 2019, but the opening of the practices has been delayed slightly. NHS England advertised for new contractors and pledged a fund worth £1 million to plug gaps, and it has now been confirmed that new clinics will open in the autumn.
Although later than planned, new practices will start seeing patients in the coming weeks, with one practice opening in September and the other opening its doors in October. The clinics will be located at the Old Billingham Community Centre and 69-71 Queensway.
Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham, raised the issue of dental access following the cessation of NHS services at Queensway Dental, and said that it had been a “hard-fought campaign.” Having thanked local councillors and residents, Mr Cunningham described the delays as ‘disappointing,’ but said that the opening of two new surgeries was positive news for the local community. Despite the addition of two more practices, Mr Cunningham highlighted underfunding as a major issue, which he suggested should be tackled by the government as a priority.
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