NHS dentist has unexpected gaps

Dr Patel says he has time on his hands

A new NHS dentistry practice which opened up in Derby has been hit by an unexpected lack of patients.

The Central Dental Practice in Derby can take on 150 patients and was bracing itself to be oversubscribed as soon as it opened.

But, there are still spaces left, despite a number of people taking them up straight away.

Staff say they were shocked when the predicted queues of people wanting to join failed to materialise.

Dentist Paresh Patel said: "Basically everyone has been able to get an appointment straight away, within the next two or three weeks.

"We plan to do the same again at least now that people are aware the practice is here.

"We offer a comprehensive range of treatments that they can have done, they can come in and get booked in and have a consultation and take it from there."