PEMBROKESHIRE’S first specialist NHS orthodontist in a decade has opened in Pembroke Dock.

Quayside Orthodontics opened in November as a private practice but has now been awarded an NHS specialist orthodontist contract.

Orthodontists specialise in treatment that improves the appearance and alignment of teeth, normally through the use of braces.

James Davies, who runs Quayside Orthodontics said he hoped that the new service will be able to help parents, who have had to wait long periods for treatment.

“Waiting lists for children are too long,” he said. “Waiting times are approximately 5 years at the moment.

“The new service hopes to increase capacity and make a dent into the waiting list.

“It will reduce [waiting times] but how much we don’t know - it needs more investment and education to bring the waiting time down further.”

Mr Davies said that one of the reasons the waiting list had become so long, was because dentists were referring too early - before treatment is needed.

“Dentists tend to refer too early,” he said. “As the list gets longer, they refer earlier.

“Our company will be happy to work with dentists to reduce the waiting list. We need people on the list when they need it.”

Mr Davies also hoped the new service would help schools, as children will no longer need to be pulled from school for long periods to go to Carmarthen as they do at present.

“This has an impact on families and educational services,” he said. “Locating in Pembrokeshire will reduce the burden on both families and school attendance.

“The only orthodontic service at the moment is in Carmarthenshire, and people have to take time off school to go - it has a big effect on education and the parents who have to take time off work.”

Quayside Orthodontics works in partnership with Symbiosis Dentist, sharing a space on London Road, Pembroke Dock.

Mr Davies added that the practice continues to offer private treatment for those who don’t qualify for NHS orthodontics or those who don’t wish to wait.

He said: “This is the first of our new independently run practices, our mission is to provide both NHS and private patients with the best clinical outcomes and the highest level of customer satisfaction.”

What do you think of the new service? Will it help you or your child? Let us know in the comments below or email gpt@westerntelegraph.co.uk