Dargaville finally has its own dentist again after some locals were reportedly "pulling their teeth out with pliers" amid the struggle to find a professional to work in the Northland town.
Last year Julie and Rodney Cotton bought the local dental clinic after it closed. They then began desperately searching for staff.
"It's just appalling actually, I've never seen anything like it," Julie told Breakfast in February. "Dargaville services a large area and I know of many whānau pulling their teeth out with pliers, God knows what they're taking for pain relief."
The new clinic finally opened this morning, with senior practising dentist Chris Leishman, dental assistant Alysha Ross and practice manager Sophie Blackwell running it.
Julie told Breakfast this morning: "It feels absolutely fabulous!"
Rodney said Auckland dentist Leishman learned of the town's plight through news media.
"So he's answered the prayers of Dargaville and he's turned up to provide the professional dental care that we needed," he said.
And Julie said "anything's possible" with community support.
Leishman said he went because he "knew there was a need".
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