OPENING a new business can be like pulling teeth.

But thankfully it was gleaming white smiles all round as Macclesfield welcomed a new NHS dentist surgery into town.

Local dentists were joined by members of East Cheshire Primary Care Trust, who are backing the venture, as MAC Dental celebrated its official opening last week.

The former office building, on Statham Court, has been turned into a state-of-the-art facility, run by Stalybridge practitioner Dr Raza Khan.

MAC Dental was "open wide" for PCT members Janet Prosser, dental commissioning manager; assistant director Richard Merson, and chairman Professor Pauline Ong, who all attened the occasion.

Dr Khan, and his colleagues Dr Asis Memic, Dr Rami Alissa and Dr Dariusz Borzyck, will work from two fully-equipped surgeries and hope to add three additional ones in due course.

Dr Khan said: "The opening was extremely successful. We will be offering a huge range of treatments, from NHS to cosmetic work. With the help of the PCT, we were able to install disabled access, a hearing loop for deaf patients, a modern reception and the latest digital equiptment."

If you need an NHS dentist, call the helpline on 01270 275678 for the latest news on availability at each practice.