Smiles all around as new NHS dental service gets the go-ahead

Published on 26th April 2007 in News

The long-running battle to see an NHS dentistry service come to Snaith finally ended this week as it was announced that a mobile dental unit will begin operating in the town from tomorrow, April 27.

It was reported at Monday's meeting of Snaith and Cowick Town Council that an NHS mobile dental unit will become operational in Snaith from Friday, April 27. It will be at the Marshes Medical Centre, and operating hours will be from 10am until 3pm.

The battle to provide an NHS dentistry service in Snaith has been a long one, but in a letter read to Snaith Town Council this week Hull Primary Care Trust (PCT) apologised for the delay, claiming there have been ongoing discussions on issues which needed to be resolved between East Riding of Yorkshire PCT as the commissioners, and the Salaried Dental Services at Hull PCT as the providers of the services.

Town councillors agreed this week that Hull PCT should not evaluate the service until the beginning of June, given the fact that it was being launched with such short notice.

Goole MP Ian Cawsey has been strongly behind the campaign to see a mobile NHS dentist come to Snaith.

He said: "I am very pleased that the Primary Care Trust has listened to our representations on this matter. I am sure there is a demand for NHS dentistry in Snaith and the surrounding villages, and I hope that lots more people get a local NHS service as a result.

"I would like to thank all the members of Snaith and Cowick Town Council for all their support whilst I negotiated with the Trust, it is always helpful to be able to show that local opinion is behind me. It is also heartening that the Marshes Medical Centre backed the move as the unit will be on their site and it means that yet another local NHS service will be delivered from what is already an excellent medical centre for local people.

"I hope this new NHS dentistry service for the area turns out to be a great success."

Appointments can be made with the new mobile dental unit in Snaith by telephoning 07887 507325 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.