HEALTH chiefs hope early next month to start filling gaps in NHS dental services in Monmouthshire caused by dentists going private.

Around 20,000 NHS places were lost in the county, the majority in Chepstow, when four practices opted out of providing NHS services when a new dental contract was introduced from April 1.

Some of these lost places have been filled by extra capacity at several practices across Monmouthshire but the Local Health Board (LHB) is keen to attract new NHS provision.

This is particularly important for Chepstow, where two major practices - Boscobel House and Fairlight - have gone private.

Medical director Dr Laurence Hamilton-Kirkwood said the LHB hopes to award contracts for new practices following a successful two-stage tendering process, with announcements being made early in May.

Nine providers of dental services expressed an interest in setting up new practices in Monmouthshire. As well as Chepstow, the LHB would like to commission new services for Monmouth and Abergavenny.

The original aim was to have the practices up and running by July, but the delay for the tendering process means start-up is more likely to be in August or September.

Chepstow community hospital should be the base for one of the two new practices proposed for the town, with the Thornwell area likely to host the other.

The LHB has been running a telephone hotline for patients who faced the loss of their NHS dental cover, and which has taken around 2,000 calls. This hotline - 01600 710046 - remains open. Patients who might wish to register with a new NHS dental practice may leave their contact details with the LHB, which will contact them when the registration process is ready to begin.