HEALTH chiefs have announced that a new dental practice serving 3,000 patients is to open in north Durham.

The surgery, at Brandon, near Durham, will be ready by spring and also operate as a vocational training centre for newly qualified dentists.

The news has been welcomed by City of Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, who has been lobbying NHS officials and ministers for the service in Brandon.

She said: “For too long it has been too difficult for people to access an NHS dentist partly because of the large number of dentists who withdrew from NHS practice.

“As well as the new surgery in Brandon there has been investment to increase capacity at other surgeries too which should make it easier for families elsewhere in Durham.

“I now want the primary care trust to ensure that people are made fully aware of the NHS dental facilities available to them.”

As well as the new practice three Durham City dental practices will receive a share of an additional £1m investment this year.

The aim is for ADP at Bridge House, Oasis at Gilesgate and Claypath Practice to improve their infrastructure and include improvements to premises in line with Disability Discrimination Act.

Cash will also be used to maintain surgery equipment and upgrades to IT systems.

David Britton, commissioning lead for dental services at NHS County Durham, said: “Improving access to NHS dental services is a priority, as is improving communication between dentists, patients and the primary care trust. “We are delighted that local dentists are keen to work with the PCT to further develop contracting arrangements that will provide an opportunity to focus more on prevention treatment.”

NHS County Durham held an engagement event during November and invited over 100 dentists and dental staff to give their views as to how dental services could be improved in the future.

In response to the suggestions made by dentists at the event, the trust is now working through a number of ideas.

Mr Britton added: “The trust realises the importance of constant communication with dentists and patients and will be attending future patient and public involvement forums where patients can raise their concerns.”