Almost two thirds of adults in Wiltshire are not registered with an NHS dentist and a new service launched in West Swindon will attempt to address the concern that dental health may be in decline.

Despite the opening of two new NHS practices in Swindon over the past couple of years many dentists' books are full and it is hard for people not registered to get treatment.

The new West Swindon Dental Access Centre went live in March and is part of a government initiative to make NHS dental treatment more accessible.

Lead Clinician Jim Foote, said the centre will provide the full range of services, although, priority will be given to people in pain. "Our service is open to anyone in the Swindon area not registered with a dentist and to visitors who cannot reach their own."

The next step, according to Paul Harwood, consultant in dental public health at the Wiltshire Health Authority, is to extend the project across Swindon and give a quick response to people needing emergency treatment. He said, "the intention is that there are no geographical barriers to those using the service."

Based at the West Swindon Health Centre, Link Avenue, the centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, (closed 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Treatment is by appointment only. To find out more call 889428 or 889426.

Ukrainian dentists arrive for training

Swindon comes to the forefront of training dentists from Eastern Europe when two dentists from the Ukraine arrive in the town on 2 May to learn western methods of treatment.

Organised by Freshbrook dentist Brendon Ball, right, and orthodontist Richard Swift from the Milton Road practice, the visitors will observe all aspects of dental treatment, at local surgeries, at PMH and the Bristol children's hospital.

Brendon and Richard visited the city of Cherkassy in Ukraine last year where they were shocked by the outdated methods and the lack of pain killers when carrying out dental procedures.

Brendon hopes to get over the importance of dental education. "In the west we put a lot of stress on oral hygiene to prevent decay and treatment, particularly amongst children. In Ukraine drilling and filling is routine, even with milk teeth. Visiting the dentist there is one of the most feared experiences, so the preventative message is an important one."

A social programme for the dentist has been organised by Brendon. "It's going to be a pretty intense visit as they will have to learn everything through translation; one of the dentists has never been outside Chekassy. So they will need a bit of a break with people they can relate to at a cultural level."