Kirkholt to get NHS dentist

The Strand, Kirkholt

Kirkholt estate is to get a new NHS dental practice.

Darren King is seeking to convert one of the empty shop units on the Strand shopping arcade into a dental facility after winning the tender commissioned by the local NHS CCG.

Kirkholt estate has an overwhelming need for such a dental practitioner because since the nearby Balderstone practice opted to go private in 2005, the residents of Kirkholt, one of the more deprived areas of Rochdale, have found access to an NHS dentist extremely difficult, and as a result there is a high prevalence of oral ill health on the estate.

Local councillor Dale Mulgrew has welcomed the new dentist and written to Mr King offering his "unequivocal support". In his letter, Councillor Mulgrew said: "I write to offer my unequivocal support for your intention to bring a new dental practice to the Strand Shopping Precinct on the Kirkholt Estate."

It is understood Mr King intends to convert the old housing office, which is in the block with the most derelict units. Councillor Mulgrew is delighted at the choice of location saying: "By placing the new practice here - at such a strategically important location – this can only bode well for the foot-flow through this side of the Strand shopping arcade, breathing vitality into this part of the shopping precinct."

Councillor Mulgrew ends his letter by wishing Mr King luck and thanking him for bringing a much needed NHS dental practice to Kirkholt.