THE second of North Tawton's dental practices has opened. Taw Valley Dental Care at 56 Fore Street is an NHS service, taking over from Peter Thompson who retired at the end of December.

Earlier this year a private practice, run by Drs Renata Kaczorowska and Joanna Wozna, opened at 3 The Square, where Mr Thompson had run his NHS practice.

The new NHS practice is run by South African Dr Gerald Abdoll who bought the house on Fore Street and ran dental services from Okehampton community hospital while the Fore Street premises were being renovated.

Dr Abdoll opened West Hill Dental Care near Ottery St Mary almost four years ago where he still works. Dr Susan Schutte, also a South African who has been working in Devon for eight years, is the dentist at North Tawton.

As well as full NHS dental services, the Taw Valley practice also gives private dental services not provided for within the NHS. It is open every weekday. Saturday appointments can be made by arrangement.

After hours the practice is covered by the Devon Doctors on call. To know more patients can call at the surgery or telephone 01837 880096.

Andrew Harris, Devon PCTs lead for dentistry, said that the people of North Tawton, including the primary school, pharmacy, Post Office and estate agents, had rallied together to help patients register an interest in the practice from an early stage.

"We would also like to thank Chulmleigh Dental Practice and other local dental practices for providing access for patients in North Tawton before the new Taw Valley practice opened," he said.

Visitors to the official opening of Taw Valley Dental Care included John Stevens of Stevens Estate Agents at North Tawton who sold the property to Dr Abdoll, as well as staff from West Hill.

Practice manager at Taw Valley is Mrs Maureen Abdoll, receptionist is Betty Rice and the dental nurse is Stephanie Steer.