THE shortage of dentists in Devon is being given some relief with the setting up next month of a new dental practice in Okehampton. The lack of an NHS dentist in the town was highlighted by Okehampton town councillor Hyder Pirwany earlier this year. Sarah Johnson is opening a new dental practice in Station Road, close to the existing dentist, which is currently unable to accept new NHS patients. Mrs Johnson, who qualified from Birmingham University, said: ?I previously had a practice in the Midlands. ?A few years ago I did some locum work down here and I really loved the place, so I decided to come here.? Mid Devon Primary Care Trust recently invited dentists to tender to supply access to NHS dentistry for patients in Okehampton and the surrounding area ? Mrs Johnson has submitted a tender and is waiting to hear if it has been successful. Mrs Johnson said she was hoping to begin taking names of people who were interested in registering in the next few weeks and to be open for business soon after, pending planning permission.
