Hundreds of people formed long queues outside a dental practice this weekend after it announced it was to take on thousands of new NHS patients.

The Lodge Causeway Dental Centre, in Fishponds, Bristol, opened its doors to new patients yesterday (Sat) leading to desperate patients getting in line.

It previously opened up thousands of new appointments for NHS patients in July - but only for those experiencing pain or urgent dental problems.

Now, the practice has taken on board three new dentists and estimates they could take as many as 3,000 new patients in a city which has been plagued by issues surrounding NHS dental care.

A similar scene took place in February last year when Saint Paul's Dental Practice opened its doors, offering sought-after appointments.

Emily Mayes, 36, who is six months pregnant, joined the queue at 7:30am.

She said she hasn't been to the dentist in 25 years, and suffers from bleeding gums and has a chipped tooth.

Emily said: "The reason I am here is because I am pregnant and I haven't been to the dentist in 25 years."

"I chipped my tooth a year ago, and I haven't been able to get it fixed."

"I have bleeding gums, but I haven't been able to get to a dentist, which is why I am standing here."

"Things should not be this way."

"I am also thinking about my unborn child, they won't have a dentist, and they should have dental care."

"That will be another hill I will need to go over."

80-year-old Maurine Watts, from Kingswood, Bristol, has been queuing since 6:30am.

Maurine has not been able to get a dentist appointment since 2020.

She said: "I have been waiting a long time for an NHS dentist."

"I am so pleased for people to get this opportunity to get their teeth seen to after so long."

"I have been waiting so long, my two front teeth at the front have collapsed, and I cannot afford a private dentist."

"I have been standing here since 6:30, I have just filled in the form, and I hope I get accepted."

A 41-year-old from St George, Bristol, said he hasn't been seen by a dentist since 2020.

The electrician said he had been in the queue since 6:30am this morning.

He said: "Its very cold, I have been out here since 6:30am."

"I have been waiting for a dentist spot for years - I went privately around COVID."

"People aren't taking new patients NHS wise so I haven't been able to get an appointment since."

"I don't know why it is so hard to get a dentist, it really shouldn't be this way."

"I am hopeful I get a spot today - I need a check-up."

The

practice owner said: "We're pleased to offer an opportunity for new NHS patients from our local community to register with us, in response to the ongoing high demand for NHS dental care in the area."

"To ensure we can manage enquiries efficiently and continue to provide uninterrupted service to our existing patients, we've chosen to open our appointment books for new registrations on one dedicated Saturday."