The plan for a community centre was changed to a dental surgery

In one of the first such schemes in the country, developers were asked to fund a dental surgery in return for planning permission for housing.

The new dental surgery at Liskeard, which opened its doors on Monday, has three NHS dentists.

It will look after about 11,000 NHS patients, many of whom have had to travel long distances for treatment.

We think we're the first local authority to own a dental surgery Brian Wright, Caradon District Council

One disabled couple, who have registered at the new surgery in their home town of Liskeard, have previously had a three-hour round trip to see an NHS dentist.

Sheila Clark said nearby dentists were either closing or becoming private practices, until she and her husband found one at Carbis Bay, near St Ives.

Mrs Clark said: "Everywhere we went it was 'we're closing' or 'it's going to be private'.

"In desperation we found somewhere in Carbis Bay, which was a long drive and a lot of petrol money."

The new centre was built because of a pioneering planning deal between Caradon District Council and the developers, Concise Construction.

School bid

The company originally agreed to provide a community centre in return for planning permission for housing, but the need locally for NHS dentistry was so desperate the council asked for a dental surgery instead.

Brian Wright, from Caradon District Council, said: "We think we're the first local authority to own a dental surgery."

Only about 50% of the people of Devon and Cornwall currently have an NHS dentist .

The South West's Peninsula Medical School should learn within the next week if its bid for a new dental school has been successful.