Dentists are to be offered a "sweetener" to move into Billericay.

Campaigners have been battling to get more NHS dentists in the town.

But they were left with a bad taste in their mouths after their pleas went unanswered.

Now, the South Essex Health Authority has stepped in with an offer promising to put an end to the problem.

After failed attempts by the authority to recruit dentists to the area, it now intends to "offer a financial inducement to a dental surgeon wishing to provide an additional NHS dental service in Billericay".

There are a number of dentists in the town which have become private over the years, leaving just one on the NHS scheme.

Trevor Stansfield, of the town's residents' association, said: "We have been fighting this for a couple of years now. We have been in touch with the health authority to see what is to be done about the lack of NHS dentist surgeries.

"There have been various attempts to provide services to Billericay which have all come to nothing. I have even had to travel to Wickford for certain services."

The authority is now looking to install a dentist in the town's health centre itself or in other vacant surgeries.

The dentist would act as a self-employed professional without a salary.

Melvyn Smith, associate director in public health and consultant in dental public health, said: "The grant, which could be provided by the health authority is in line with incentives being provided elsewhere in the country which have been successful in attracting additional NHS dentists.

"In making this payment, we would insist on existing patients of the salaried dental service being accepted for NHS care into the foreseeable future."

A group of dental surgeons who have shown interest in the past in setting up shop in Billericay are held on file and will be contacted.

Others already working in south Essex will also be given the opportunity to open a branch in the town.

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