A vital new NHS dental practice has officially opened its doors in Somerset, attracting thousands of local residents eager for treatment. Crewkerne Dental Care, commissioned by NHS Somerset and operated by Dentistry For You, welcomed its first patients in May and has since treated hundreds.
Before opening, approximately 4,500 people—around 75% from the Crewkerne area—registered their interest via online and phone channels in April, signaling significant demand for NHS dental services in the community.
Located on Market Street, the practice held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event on July 13, attended by local MP Adam Dance, Dr. Esmail Harunani (partner at Dentistry For You), Jonathan Higman (chief executive of NHS Somerset), and other health representatives.
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Liz Fernandez, group manager at Dentistry For You, said, “Our team has enjoyed meeting and treating patients since May. The community has been very welcoming, and patients appreciate having NHS dental care close to home. We look forward to reopening registrations soon.”
Crewkerne Dental Care marks the third new NHS dental practice commissioned by NHS Somerset since October 2025, following recent openings in Wellington and Chard. Together, these practices are expected to serve up to 20,000 patients annually, making a significant impact on dental care availability in the region.
MP Adam Dance commented, “Opening Crewkerne Dental Care is a crucial step forward for my constituents who have faced challenges accessing NHS dentistry. Along with the recent Chard opening, these new facilities are already improving local healthcare. I thank everyone involved in this achievement, and I remain committed to pushing for further reforms and investments to ensure dental services work for all.”
NHS dental services across Somerset are on the rise, with the county’s 52 practices delivering approximately 10,000 more NHS treatments in 2025/26 compared to the previous year—reversing a post-pandemic decline.
Jonathan Higman emphasized, “Crewkerne Dental Care is already making a positive difference. Our recovery plan priorities increasing NHS dentistry access, and these new practices are integral to that effort.”
The decision to locate the new practice in Crewkerne was based on local demand for NHS appointments. NHS Somerset is commissioning 15,500 ‘units of dental activity’ (UDAs) annually from the practice. UDAs serve as the payment metric for independent dentists providing NHS services.
For urgent dental care, patients are encouraged to contact NHS 111 by phone or online at 111.nhs.uk.