A TADLEY dental practice - which filled its NHS patient list less than six months after opening last year - has been praised in its efforts to tackle a huge waiting list.
ADP Dental Co, in Franklin Avenue opened in January 2008. Six months later, in June, it had registered a total of 5,900 patients, with 650 patients on the waiting list.
The waiting list has since almost doubled - as recently discovered by Tadley town councillor, Nigel Quelch, when he tried to make an appointment.
"When I phoned them up, they said they had a waiting list of 1,000 and would I like to go on it," said Mr Quelch.
However he said he was grateful to be added to the list, and pointed out the practice was "doing the best they can to get down it" - given the nationwide shortage of NHS dentists.
With 11,500 people living in Tadley - not including the population in surrounding villages of Baughurst, Silchester and Little London - Mr Quelch said he was not surprised at the length of the list.
"There's not a dentist in the country could supply services to all of those people," he said.
"One thousand on a waiting list may sound a lot - but not for Tadley."
Spokeswoman for Hampshire Primary Care Trust, Deborah Upham, confirmed the practice had 1,000 patients on a waiting list during November/December, when it took on 250, reducing the list size to 750.
"In January they have taken on another 250, which leaves 500 on the current list," said Mrs Upham.
"The practice does advise people of the Dental Helpline number, but those still on the list are there because they want to wait for a place at Tadley," she added.
By comparison, a Kingsclere dental surgery at full capacity has closed its waiting list, due to lack of funds.
Neil Tank, the owner of The Village Dental Practice, Kingsclere Health Centre, North Street, said the practice's NHS patient list currently stood at "just under 5,000," and had a waiting list of around 200.
"We have funding to look after a certain number of patients, we don't have provision to take on any new ones," said Mr Tank.
"We would consider putting them on the list, but have to be realistic in terms of funding."
Natalie Jones, the trust's lead commissioning manager, primary care dental services, said a further six new NHS dental practices would be opening in Hampshire in the next 12 months, to serve an additional 75,000 patients across the county.
Anyone wishing to find an NHS dentist should contact the Dental Helpline, telephone 0845 050 8 345.