The government is increasing the number of Dental Access Centres to provide fast and flexible access to NHS dentists.
The 34 proposed centres will be set up in locations including high streets, clinics and some of the new primary care walk-in centres throughout the UK. Patients do not need to be registered and can make appointments by telephone. It is anticipated that they will provide services to 250,000 people.
The opening of these centres is part of the government’s plan to modernise NHS dental services and it has made £340,000 available to health authorities wishing to open a centre.
It is expected that the centres will be open by October 2000. In October 1998, the first two centres were launched and a further six will be opened shortly