A new dental centre in Sherborne is hoping to help NHS patients obtain access to dentistry. The Right Honourable Oliver Letwin MP officially opened Sherborne Dental Centre recently, and as well as unveiling a plaque at the £800,000 building, Mr Letwin put the comprehensive state of the art equipment to the test by putting principal dentist Alastair Danby in the dentist's chair.

The centre is the only practice in the town devoted to offering care for NHS patients and so far more than 5,000 patients have signed up. The brownfield site where a dilapidated bungalow once stood has been transformed with the construction of a modern dental practice.

Melanie Smoker, dental lead at NHS Dorset, which helped with the funding of the project, said, 'We are delighted that this practice is now up and running, providing the people of Sherborne with a first-class dental service.'