A WEST Somerset dental practice expanding after moving to new premises has become the first in several years to open for new NHS patients.

The district has been a ‘dental desert’ since the last practice in Minehead to accept NHS patients stopped doing so in 2022.

Now, Exmoor Dental Centre, which has moved from Blenheim Road to Bancks Street, Minehead, has opened a ‘limited number’ of pre-registration opportunities for children and young adults.

Dr Andre Louw said: “Following our recent move to new premises, we are pleased to confirm that we have been able to increase our capacity and expand our services to the local community.

“As a result, Exmoor Dental Centre will be opening a limited pre-registration opportunity for children and young adults under the age of 18 living in Minehead and the surrounding areas.”

Dr Louw said the practice since the Covid pandemic had faced significant challenges in taking on new NHS patients and had therefore focused primarily on providing care for its existing patient list.

He said: “This is the first time since the pandemic that we have been able to offer any new NHS availability, made possible by the successful recruitment of two new dentists to join our team.

“Pre-registration forms can be collected directly from the practice.”

Dr Louw said ‘at this time’, the practice was unable to take on new adult NHS patients due to capacity constraints, although it had ‘a limited NHS contract’ for urgent care.

Dr Louw said: “The practice is currently supporting adults who require urgent treatment through the NHS 111 urgent dental care service.

“Overall availability remains limited, and we are very aware that the demand for NHS dental care in the area is high.

“We will therefore be managing registrations carefully to ensure we can provide safe and appropriate access to care.”