An extra 3,000 south Shropshire people will soon have access to NHS dental services in Ludlow, it has emerged, as a funding boost will help make access to a NHS dentist much easier.

Shropshire County Primary Care Trust has announced that there will be more services at the Stepping Stones Family Dental Health Centre on New Road in order to make access to an NHS dentist easier.

Mathew James, communications manager at Shropshire PCT, said that the centre was able to make the provision after receiving a funding boost from the primary care trust.

And the centre has now taken on two new dentists as a result of the windfall.

Dr Catherine Nelson, practice principal at Stepping Stones Health Centre, said: “We aim to offer high quality, affordable healthcare in the local area to all those who choose to access our services.

“We are committed to offering NHS dental care wherever possible and we have a general dental services contract with Shropshire PCT.

“We try to make sure each visit to us is relaxed and informative.”

Amanda Atkin, dental commissioning manager for Shropshire County PCT, said: “This is great news for the people of Ludlow and the surrounding areas.

“The amount of people across the whole of Shropshire receiving NHS dental services is significantly better than the West Midlands average, and the extra space at the Stepping Stones surgery will only help to increase the access that Shropshire people will have.”

New patient application forms can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Stepping Stones, Castle View House, New Road, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 2LS.