Boost for NHS dentistry services

Almost £900,000 is to be spent expanding dental services in a County Durham town.

Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) has set aside £860,000 to take on more dentists and improve access to services in disadvantaged areas.

The money will also be spent reducing waiting times for orthodontics work, including teeth straightening especially among children.

A spokesman for the trust said patients often struggled to get appointments.

Colin Morris, Chief Executive said: "This is intended as the first phase of additional investment into dental health in response to a PCT study indicating that more capacity is required to reduce waiting times.

"Over the course of the next few months, as access increases, it will be easier for the public to make routine dental appointments."