The new Whitstable Dental Centre in Oxford Street

A new NHS dental centre will open in Whitstable next month in the former Forbuoys newsagent’s shop in Oxford Street.

The £380,000 service is being provided by Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust as part of a £4.5 million investment in NHS dentistry in east Kent.

From Monday, people looking for an NHS dentist will be able to ring a freephone helpline to register with the two dentists who will be based there when it opens. A third dentist will join the practice in January.

Jane Facey, who lives in Whitstable, was delighted. She said:

"I just think it is terrific for the town. The building has been empty for so long and it is great to see it being used for something so needed."

Mrs Facey said she had to travel to Herne Bay to see an NHS dentist and having one on her doorstep would make a huge difference.

Bill Millar, head of primary and community care commissioning for NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT, said: "We are committed to improving access to NHS dentistry in Whitstable.

"Patients have been telling us they can’t find an NHS dentist and this will make it easier to get NHS dental treatment and improve dental health."

From Monday people looking for an NHS dentist should call the freephone helpline on 0808 238 9797 (mobile networks may charge) or text 07943 091958 for a call back.

Full report in this week's Whitstable Gazette