PEMBROKESHIRE is to get up to 14,000 new NHS dentist places, the Western Telegraph can exclusively reveal.

The Local Health Board (LHB) has agreed contracts with three companies to run dental surgeries and outreach services in the county.

That will bring six new NHS dentists to Pembrokeshire and spark a scramble to register with the LHB.

Integrated Dental Holdings, which runs the impressive NHS surgery at Whitland; Kind Blue and My Smile Centre have won the contracts.

The Western Telegraph understands that Integrated Dental Holdings and My Smile Centre will set up surgeries similar to that in Whitland.

Kind Blue will run a limited service involving visits to those who cannot attend surgeries.

The LHB confirmed the contracts and said those patients who have previously registered with the LHB will get priority.

The remaining places will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, a spokesman added.

South county MP Nick Ainger said the announcement was great news for Pembrokeshire: "The LHB has about 7,000 patients registered as wanting NHS treatment, so the new dentists will be able to take on those patients and provide for up to another 7000 who haven't yet registered with the LHB.

"Two of the contracts will be similar to the surgery in Whitland. The companies will decide where they will be based, but as part of the contract they have to be accessible.

"My guess is that one will be in the Haverfordwest area and another in the south of the county to cover the major population areas."

Mr Ainger said he estimated the contracts to be in the region of £1m per year. He added: "For too long the shortage of NHS dentists has caused very real problems for patients of all ages across Pembrokeshire.

"Pembrokeshire people now have a choice that has been available in most parts of Wales, but denied to Pembrokeshire in the last few years: private treatment or NHS care."

Mr Ainger urged Pembrokeshire dentists who have gone private to reconsider offering NHS care again. "That will ensure every patient who wants NHS care has access to it", he said.

Anyone who wants to register for NHS treatment should call 01437 771257.