Thousands more people in Somerset will have access to NHS dental care on their doorstep thanks to the opening of another new practice this week – the third in the county in the last eight months.
More than 4,500 people – about 75% of whom come from Crewkerne and surrounding postcodes – have expressed an interest in an appointment at Crewkerne Dental Care (pictured right), which is located in Market Street in the town centre and is run by Dentistry For You.
The Crewkerne practice is the third new NHS dental practice commissioned by NHS Somerset to open its doors since October 2025 after openings in Wellington and Chard. Together it is expected that these new practices will provide care for up to 20,000 people each year.
Dr Bernie Marden, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Somerset, said: “This is great news for people in Crewkerne – and thousands more people in Somerset are getting NHS dental care thanks to the three new practices in the county.
“We know from our local engagement work, including the Somerset’s Big Conversation roadshow last summer, that better access to NHS dentistry is among the top priorities of local people, and these new facilities are part of a range of measures to help deliver that.”
To ensure patient safety and fairness, Dentistry For You has paused the expression of interest facility for now, but the firm hopes to reopen it in due course. The practice is not accepting in-person registrations at the premises.
Crewkerne was chosen for the new practice as one of the areas of the county where more NHS appointments are most needed.
Dentistry For You Group Manager Elizabeth Fernandez added: “We are looking forward to getting to know our patients and welcoming them to the new practice in Crewkerne.
“We have been made to feel very welcome in the town and we are pleased to be working with NHS Somerset to offer local people quality NHS dental care.
“Once the practice is established, we hope to be able to reopen the opportunity for people to express an interest in an appointment.”
NHS Somerset is commissioning 15,500 ‘units of dental activity’ (UDAs) per year from the Crewkerne practice. Under national NHS rules, UDAs are used to pay high street dentists, which are independent private businesses.
Adam Dance, MP for the Yeovil constituency, which includes Crewkerne, said: “I am delighted to see this new NHS dental practice opening in Crewkerne, and I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible. This is a positive step forward and will make a real difference to families across the area who have struggled to access NHS dental care.
“Alongside the recent opening of another NHS practice in Chard, this represents welcome progress for Somerset. However, more still needs to be done. Demand continues to outstrip capacity, and too many local people are still finding it difficult to access an NHS dentist.
“I know how important this issue is to residents, and I will continue working to ensure that people across the constituency have fair and reliable access to NHS dental care close to home.”
An online portal where people could express an interest in an appointment, along with a phone number for people who could not use the internet, opened on 22 April and received more than 4,500 expressions of interest before it was paused later that day.
Among the first patients was Jacqueline Bostock, of Crewkerne, who said: “This is very good news for Crewkerne, and very convenient in the town centre. It’s much needed, especially for people like me on a basic pension. During the pandemic a filling broke off and my previous dentist went private so I’m relieved I’m able to get treated here.”
Fellow Crewkerne resident Bob Thackaberry added: “It’s top news. Local people are very positive about how they will now be able to get an NHS dentist – it’s much needed.”
Chris Emmerson, who owns nearby Market Street Bakery and is Chair of Crewkerne Business Group, said: “It’s excellent to see the NHS practice opening in Crewkerne and as a group we like to champion renovating the historic buildings in the town centre like the one now occupied by the practice – they have done a great job of bringing it back into use.”
All patients who successfully completed the expression of interest form should have received a message confirming practice staff will be in contact in coming months to arrange a first appointment.
Anyone needing emergency or urgent dental care can call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk.
