PATIENTS in Great Yarmouth and Waveney are benefiting from better access to NHS dentistry after a raft of additional services were introduced across the region.

PATIENTS in Great Yarmouth and Waveney are benefiting from better access to NHS dentistry after a raft of additional services were introduced across the region.

Extra investment from NHS Yarmouth and Waveney has seen the Corton Road practice in Lowestoft increase its capacity and a new orthodontic specialist introduced in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

Additional capacity at the Crown Road surgery in Great Yarmouth will be available from next Tuesday, with the new NHS practice in Southwold opening later in the summer.

The news comes after the primary care trust agreed to pump an additional �1.4m into providing important new services at its board meeting in March.

“We already have one of the best records in the country for the number of patients able to access an NHS dentist, but are always keen to improve still further,” said Elaine Bond, Head of Contracting for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

“It is extremely good news for everyone in the area that these services have been made available so soon after the funding was first announced.

“The extra money we are putting into NHS dentistry underlines our commitment to making sure that everyone who wishes to can use this important service as and when they need it. For many people, it will also make NHS dental care available closer to their homes.”

The extra capacity already in place in Lowestoft will mean around 4,000 additional patients will be able to access an NHS dentist each year. When capacity is increased in Great Yarmouth, an extra 3,000 patients a year will benefit.

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. More details on when the practice will open will be available in the coming weeks.

For more information on making an appointment at the practices with increased capacity, call 01493 842313 for Great Yarmouth and 01502 567519 for Lowestoft.