A new NHS dental practice opened for business in Keighley this week.

The Mornington Street premises will cater for more than 5,000 patients.

It is the first of three new practices to open in the Bradford district as part of a major investment programme in NHS dentistry by Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT).

The facility, known as Mornington Street Dental Centre, is being run by Whitecross Dental Care Ltd.

Two dentists, a dental therapist and nurses will provide care at the practice, which will be open Monday to Saturday.

Patients already on the dental database held by the tPCT have been booked in for the next month and the practice is inviting others on the list to make an initial appointment.

People wanting to join the practice can register by phoning 01274 237555.

The practice will run as an independent business contracted to the tPCT to provide NHS dental care.

As well as offering routine treatment, the practice will also advise patients on all aspects of oral health, including stopping smoking, healthy eating and mouth hygiene.

Helen Hirst, director of service development at the tPCT, said: “The new dental practice will give hundreds more people access to NHS dentistry. This is only the first of three new developments which will improve the availability of NHS dentistry right across the district — making it easier for people to get the care they need and improve their oral health for the long term.”

A spokesman for Whitecross Dental Care said: “We’re delighted to be opening this new NHS dental facility in Keighley, in conjunction with Bradford and Airedale tPCT. We are sure the practice will greatly improve access to an NHS dentist for the local population.”