£4.5m boost for NHS dental care

Thousands more patients in east Kent will be able to find an NHS dentist

Investment of £4.5m will pay for more NHS dentists in east Kent.

The funding boost will go towards dental care in Deal, Dover, Chestfield, Whitstable, Faversham, Broadstairs, Cliftonville, Sheppey and Hawkinge.

NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent said the cash would allow thousands more people to find NHS dentists from September.

Bosses said the money was added to £700,000 already set aside for services in Ashford, Canterbury and Sittingbourne, which start this summer.

Bill Millar, head of primary and community care commissioning, said it was a major investment.

He said patients had been telling the trust they were unable to find an NHS dentist.

"This investment will go a long way to make it easier to get NHS dental treatment and improve dental health in the area," he said.