NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is to pump an additional �1.4m into providing important new dental services across the region.Agreed by the PCT board at its meeting on Wednesday, the cash will be used to open a new NHS practice in Southwold and increase dental capacity in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is to pump an additional �1.4m into providing important new dental services across the region.

Agreed by the PCT board at its meeting on Wednesday, the cash will be used to open a new NHS practice in Southwold and increase dental capacity in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. An additional contract, for an orthodontic specialist offering treatment in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, was also approved, with the extra service due to launch within the next few months.

The new practice in Southwold will be the first in the area to provide dental services to adults since 2006. Once open, it will employ three dentists and will cater for around 4,500 patients every year.

The plans for Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth will see capacity increased at two existing dental services. In Great Yarmouth, this will allow around 3,000 extra patients to access the service annually, while around 4,000 additional patients will be catered for in Lowestoft.

“This extra investment in dental services is extremely good news for everyone who lives in Great Yarmouth and Waveney,” said Mike Stonard, chief executive of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

“Although we already have one of the best records in the country for the number of patients able to access an NHS dentist, we are keen to improve still further. This extra money underlines our commitment to making sure that everyone who wishes to can use this important service as and when they need it and, for many people, will also make NHS dental care available closer to their homes.

“The appointment of a new orthodontic specialist will also make a huge difference to people living in the area by helping to reduce waiting times and improve access.

“We are now in the process of finalising arrangements for the launch of these new facilities, and will publicise details of opening dates and how people can make an appointment as soon as we can.”

Further details outlining when the new practice will open and giving details of how to get an appointment over the phone will be finalised and publicised during the next few weeks.