A dental practice is holding an open day for children of primary school age to drop in and have a check-up, "due to a lack of dentists accepting new NHS patients in the area since lockdown".

The Dental Tree in Exeter Close, Stevenage, is offering free dental examinations to children aged four to 11 from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, August 5. 

No registration is required and no appointment is needed - just turn up.

A spokesperson for The Dental Tree said: "The dental open day for all children of primary school age is due to the lack of NHS dentists accepting new NHS patients in the local area since lockdown, leading to many children yet to visit a dentist."

According to the NHS website, several dentists in Stevenage are not accepting new patients, or are only taking NHS patients referred by another dentist, although at least two are accepting children aged 17 or under.

At the open day, there will also be face painting, arts and crafts, and goodie bags.

If your child is in pain, please call NHS 111 and do not attend the open day.

For more information, call The Dental Tree on 01438 354590 or email info@thedentaltree.co.uk.