BURY toothache sufferers needn't be down in the mouth.

For a dental access centre with a "high street" location in Bury has been given the go-ahead in principle by Health Minister Lord Hunt.

The proposed centre will be one of two locally with the other planned for Rochdale.

The centres will provide both routine and emergency treatment for patients after they have arranged appointments by phone.

The centres will offer two dental suites and they are planned to be open into the evenings and weekends.

"Many of the details about the centres are yet to be finalised," said Mr Richard Popplewell, chief executive of Bury and Rochdale Health Authority.

"But approval for them means without doubt that NHS dental services in Bury and Rochdale are to be greatly enhanced.

"The centres will complement the traditional services offered by family dentists - they will not be a substitute for them," added Mr Popplewell.

"It is also likely that the centres will work in collaboration with the existing emergency dental services in Bury and Rochdale.

"They could be up and running from October, providing both towns with a quick and convenient service for patients who may not find it easy to access traditional dental services," he continued.

A business case providing full details of the proposed centre is to be submitted by the Health Authority to the Department of Health by the end of February.

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