NHS dentist opens in town

Residents look set to benefit from an NHS dental surgery which has opened on the Shropshire border, ending a five-year wait for new services.Talking Teeth has officially opened its doors at The Old Post Office in Holyhead Road, Chirk. The opening of the dental surgery has come a relief to residents in the town following the closure of the last dentist's five years ago.

Talking Teeth, which has three other branches in Wrexham and Cheshire, has agreed contracts with both the Shropshire Primary Care Trust and the Wrexham Local Health Board.

This will allow people in Chirk and the surrounding towns and villages covered by these authorities to use the service.

County councillor Ian Roberts, of Chirk, said: "It's a very good modern set-up and it is warmly welcomed by people in Chirk who have missed the vital service for the last five years."

Clwyd South Assembly Member Karen Sinclair said: "Ever since the old practice left the area some years ago, there has been a need for a new surgery and I'm delighted that it has now finally opened its doors.

"In my discussions with the local health board, I pressed with them the problems residents had in accessing treatment, being forced to travel to Ruabon or Cefn Mawr to get seen. This was clearly not acceptable.

"Now it has a new centre, and I am sure residents will very pleased indeed."

Bob Evans, director of finance at the Wrexham Local Health Board, said it was not possible to say exactly how many patients would be treated at the new practice, as Talking Teeth is contracted by the amount of treatment it carries out and not by the number of people on the books.

Plans are also being implemented to expand the facilities. Initially there will be one full-time dentist supported by a dental nurse and two receptionists, overseen by a practice manager who looks after all four branches from Wrexham.

The building of a second surgery is already planned and a further dentist will be joining as soon as it is ready.

Dentist Dr Qaz Jaffri said: "There is sufficient scope for further expansion within the premises and a third surgery can be accommodated if demand continues."

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