Brighton's newest dentists open their doors

Brighton’s newest NHS dental practice is holding an open day on Friday.

Wellsbourne Dental Care, in Whitehawk Way, Whitehawk, is inviting people to look round the practice and meet the team from 11am to 3pm.

Dr Mazdak Eyrumlu is chief executive of Southern Dental Care, which runs the practice on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust – also known as NHS Brighton and Hove.

Dr Eyrumlu said: “We hope people will call in to have a look round the practice and to find out more about keeping teeth healthy.

“In particular, the open day is a great opportunity for anyone who hasn’t been to the dentist for a while or who might be a little nervous of the dentist to meet the dental team and to see how dental treatments have changed.

“We can also give information on how much NHS dental treatment costs – which is often much less than people think and for some people will be free.”

NHS dental charges start at £16.50 for check-ups and basic care.

Most common treatments cost £45.60.

The highest rate is £198 for complex treatments although patients pay only once to cover all the treatment that they need even if it requires several appointments. 

The new practice, which is on the first floor of the Wellsbourne Health Centre, will see up to 2,900 patients a year.

It is open from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays although it plans to stay open until 8pm on some days so as many people as possible can use its services.

The dentists there will be able to tell patients how often they need a check-up. For those with healthy teeth and gums, this may be as little as once in two years.

Southern Dental also runs Dyke Road Dental Care in Dyke Road, Brighton, as well as eight other surgeries across Sussex and 20 across London and the South East.