New NHS dental practice will help fill service cavity

Published on Monday 19 October 2009 10:03

THOUSANDS more people will have access to dental treatment on the NHS with the opening of a new practice in the centre of Edinburgh.

Up to 8,000 patients struggling to find a dentist will be served by the new Haymarket Dental Practice which officially opens today.

The husband-and-wife duo behind the new facility said they also wanted to attract more children to sign up from the west of the city.

The new NHS practice has been welcomed by health chiefs and local politicians as a major boost for those who cannot afford or do not want to go private for their dental care.

Sighthill/Gorgie councillor Eric Milligan said: "This is great news for the people in the area. Everyone knows how difficult it is to get an NHS dentist and when people do, they hold on to it because it's valuable.

"It's sad to see how many dentists have gone private over the years and I'm glad this is starting up.

"I hope the Lothian health board work with them closely to give them as much support as possible. I'm sure there will be no shortage of people signing up."

As it stands around two-thirds of people in the Lothians are registered to an NHS dentist, and 92 per cent of three-to-five-year-olds are registered. It is known, however, that children from deprived areas are far less likely to have a check up.

David Glavin, one half of the dental team who will run the practice, said: "Even though we've only been taking phone calls and put up a couple of posters we already have had a couple of hundred people in touch.

"We will build it up and you have to be careful not to take too many on at first, but eventually this place has the capacity for 8,000 new patients."

The smart former office on Washington Lane is an example of the newer-style NHS practices, with a huge reception area, extensive disabled access and a massive emphasis on hygiene. As well as the four treatment and examination rooms, there is a dedicated decontamination room which has cost thousands to install with top of the range equipment.

Facilities for patients to clean their teeth before an appointment, and latest technology to help the dentists build an image of patients mouths are also a feature.

Charlotte Glavin, who like her husband has worked in other dental practices before opening this one, added: "It is an exciting time and we've put a lot of effort into getting this going.

"The NHS have been really positive about it. We'll be open early in the morning until a bit later as well, and over lunchtime, which will hopefully allow a few people to come in while they're working.

"There are still a lot of people who aren't signed up with an NHS dentist and we want to help address that. Our catchment goes all the way out to Sighthill and the Calders, although you can sign up anywhere – it doesn't have to be in your local area."