Councillor Scriven carried out a survey to all households in Ringwood earlier this year. The results showed a clear degree of unhappiness with the lack of NHS dentistry in the town.

Taking immediate action, Councillor Scriven called for a meeting with health bosses and was this week able to meet with John Richards, the Chief Executive of the New Forest Primary Care Trust. Once Councillor Scriven had outlined the scale of the problem he was able to get an undertaking from Mr Richards that the matter would now get priority attention, with a view to providing Ringwood residents with early access to an NHS dentist.

A delighted Terry Scriven said "I was very pleased that the Chief Executive has responded so positively to my request. The PCT are also going to carry out a survey to make sure that the demand is there. I'm already sure it is. In the meantime I hope that the town council will agree to appoint a portfolio holder for health issues, as a way of ensuring these concerns are followed up".