AN NHS dental surgery due to open in North Tawton will first treat patients in nearby Okehampton.

Dentist Gerald Abdoll was due to open his new practice in April, but delays in refurbishing the surgery put this back a month.

Determined not to disappoint patients, Mr Abdoll asked Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT) if he could use Okehampton Community Hospital's dental practice until his new surgery was ready.

Dental bosses had no hesitation and as a result Mr Abdoll is able to keep his pledge he made to patients.

The new practice has been commissioned by Devon PCT following the retirement of dentist Peter Thompson in December 2008.

'I had promised people that the surgery would open in April and I did not want patients waiting any longer than they had to,' Mr Abdoll said.

'If I couldn't open on time in North Tawton then I had to find somewhere else – and the hospital provided the ideal answer.'

Mr Abdoll will begin practising from the hospital surgery today (Thursday), transferring the service to his new surgery towards the end of the month.

More than 500 patients have already completed application forms or contacted the primary care trust to join the practice.

These patients do not need to take any action and will be contacted by the practice in the coming weeks to arrange appointments.

Application forms are available from North Tawton Post Office, North Tawton Pharmacy and Steven's Estate Agents in North Tawton.

Alternatively, telephone Devon PCT's dental line on 0845 002 0034.