THOUSANDS more people in Somerset will soon have access to NHS dental care as a new dentist opens its doors this week.
More than 4,500 people have already expressed interest in appointments at Crewkerne Dental Care, the county’s third newly commissioned NHS dental practice in eight months.
Located on Market Street, the practice is being operated by Dentistry For You.
NHS Somerset is commissioning 15,500 units of dental activity per year from the practice.
The practice was selected after health officials identified a significant need for additional NHS dental services in the area.
Dr Bernie Marden, chief medical officer at NHS Somerset, said: "This is great news for people in Crewkerne – and thousands more people in Somerset are getting NHS dental care thanks to the three new practices in the county.
"We know from our local engagement work, including the Somerset’s Big Conversation roadshow last summer, that better access to NHS dentistry is among the top priorities of local people, and these new facilities are part of a range of measures to help deliver that."
Crewkerne Dental Care is the third new NHS dental site to open in Somerset since October 2025, following practices in Wellington and Chard.
Together, the three sites are expected to provide NHS dental services for up to 20,000 people each year.
Elizabeth Fernandez, group manager at Dentistry For You, said: "We are looking forward to getting to know our patients and welcoming them to the new practice in Crewkerne.
"We have been made to feel very welcome in the town, and we are pleased to be working with NHS Somerset to offer local people quality NHS dental care.
"Once the practice is established, we hope to be able to reopen the opportunity for people to express an interest in an appointment."
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To ensure patient safety and fairness, the expression of interest system has currently been paused.
A dedicated phone line and online portal were launched on April 22 to help people register their interest and received more than 4,500 submissions before being paused later that day.
Among the first patients to be offered an appointment was Crewkerne resident Jacqueline Bostock.
Ms Bostock said: "This is very good news for Crewkerne, and very convenient in the town centre.
"It’s much needed, especially for people like me on a basic pension.
"During the pandemic, a filling broke off, and my previous dentist went private, so I’m relieved I’m able to get treated here."
Bob Thackaberry, also from Crewkerne, echoed the positive sentiment.
Mr Thackaberry said: "It’s top news.
"Local people are very positive about how they will now be able to get an NHS dentist – it’s much needed."
Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, welcomed the new practice but cautioned that more work is needed to fully meet public demand.
Mr Dance said: "I am delighted to see this new NHS dental practice opening in Crewkerne, and I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible.
"This is a positive step forward and will make a real difference to families across the area who have struggled to access NHS dental care.
"Alongside the recent opening of another NHS practice in Chard, this represents welcome progress for Somerset.
"However, more still needs to be done.
"Demand continues to outstrip capacity, and too many local people are still finding it difficult to access an NHS dentist.
"I know how important this issue is to residents, and I will continue working to ensure that people across the constituency have fair and reliable access to NHS dental care close to home."
Chris Emmerson, who owns nearby Market Street Bakery and is Chair of Crewkerne Business Group, said: “It’s excellent to see the NHS practice opening in Crewkerne and as a group we like to champion renovating the historic buildings in the town centre like the one now occupied by the practice – they have done a great job of bringing it back into use.”
Patients who successfully registered their interest will be contacted in the coming months to arrange their first appointment.
The practice is not accepting in-person registrations at the premises.
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