Hospital leaders are beaming at the prospect of a dental facility returning to the Maniototo for the first time in a decade.
The dental rooms were part of the remaining work in the multimillion-dollar development of Ranfurly's Maniototo Hospital which officially opened in April.
Residents in the area have had to rely on travel and annual visits from the Southern District Health Board's mobile dental unit in recent years.
The mobile dental unit travels to spots throughout the southern district providing free dental checks and treatment for children under the age of 12.
Southern DHB primary care and population health general manager Mary Cleary-Lyons said the unit last visited Ranfurly in March.
However, the service was not provided in the town last year due to challenges in recruiting dental therapists to work in Otago and Southland, compounded by unexpected staff retirements, she said.
The nearest dentist in the Maniototo area for adults and high school pupils aged over 12 has been in Alexandra.
Maniototo Health Services Ltd general manager Geoff Foster said the convenience of a new facility would be significant.
"It probably means they're more likely to look after their teeth," he said.
Mr Foster confirmed the last full-time dentist in Ranfurly was Paul Sapsford, who died in 2009.
Maniototo Area School principal Joe Ferdinands said he was pleased to see a dental facility returning to the area.
"There are some younger parents and mothers who don't drive and it is difficult for them to take their kids."
The dental facility is expected to open in October.
