A NEW service is promising faster emergency care for dental patients and more support in finding a place on a dentist's list.

The Emergency Dental Treatment Centre, at the dental hospital in Sauchie-hall Street, saw more than 1000 urgent cases over the festive holiday.

And yesterday deputy health minister Lewis Macdonald formally opened the unit.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has spent £900,000 expanding the centre to eight surgery rooms, compared with three previously.

It will no longer accept patients who walk in from the street. Instead, if you do not have a dentist you must make an appointment by phone, while those who have a dentist can get emergency treatment in the evenings by calling NHS 24.

Mr Macdonald said: "Thousands more patients across Glasgow will now be able to access dental services in an emergency at the expanded centre, funded through the Primary Care and Community Care Premises Modernisation Programme."

The centre expects to see more than 17,500 patients a year, a 40% increase on the capacity of the unit it has replaced.

It will also help patients find an NHS dentist near their home.

Day patients should call 0141 232 6323 for an appointment, and out of hours treatment is available through a referral from NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.