MARKET Weighton could have an NHS dentist by the end of the year.
NHS East Riding of Yorkshire announced at the end of last year that it planned to invest in the service and this week revealed the contractor who would provide the service for the town.
Genix Healthcare will provide the new dental services for Mar
ket Weighton and said it expected to open in the autumn.
The town currently has no permanent NHS dentist. As reported in the Post in January, Market Weighton was one of three towns identified by the Primary Care Trust as under-resourced for NHS dental services.
The other two were Snaith and Withernsea.
People interested in opening a dental surgery in the town were invited to submit tenders, details of their proposals, to the health authority.
Genix Healthcare were chosen to provide dental services for Market Weighton.
The PCT plans to invest £350,000 per year to fund the service in the town – the first for 20 years.
Karen Knapton, chairman of NHS East Riding of Yorkshire, said: "I am delighted to confirm this major investment in new NHS dental services in three of our local communities with the greatest need.
"Increasing dental capacity in Snaith, Withernsea and Market Weighton has been a priority for us and we have now appointed experienced contractors to deliver high quality dental services for these areas."
It is thought 5,000 places for new NHS patients will be created.
Sian Nelson-Jones, clinical director of Genix Healthcare, said the company was pleased they had got the contract.
She said: "It's a great opportunity for us to expand our business. It's a delightful area to be working in.
"We are extremely pleased we can offer treatment for those who haven't had access to NHS treatment in the past. "We are starting in November officially."
The company has 13 other clinics including one in Hull and three in Leeds.
An NHS spokesman said the location of the new practice would be revealed at a later date.
People without a dentist can register with the Dental Commissioning Team on (01482) 672167.
