A new NHS dental practice, One Smile Dental in Chard, has opened and secured up to 8,000 patients, according to reporting by the Somerset County Gazette. The facility opened December 4 and is one of three new NHS practices expanding dental access across Somerset, with additional locations in Wellington and Crewkerne. The Chard site currently operates five surgeries, expanding to six by April 2026, and has created 16 local jobs including dentists, therapists, nurses and administrative staff.
More than half of registered patients are from Chard and nearby villages. The practice was formally opened by MP Adam Dance, who said the expansion reflects ongoing investment in Somerset’s NHS dental system. One Smile Dental will provide preventive, routine and emergency care, though it is not accepting new expressions of interest until the next intake period.