Garden shed dentist in search for a base

After three years working as a dentist, Rikki Dhody was looking forward to bringing his work a bit closer to home – right into his garden shed to be more precise.

The 26-year-old from Walsall was so fed up after struggling to find somewhere to practice, he planned to transform his own garden shed into a dental practice. But the plans have now been turned down by Walsall Council.

Mr Dhody, however, says the decision will not let it ruin his dream as he continues his search for a suitable location elsewhere.

Mr Dhody, of Woodlands Avenue, Paddock, said he had been searching for somewhere to set up his own dental practice for several years which would offer patients emergency care and the chance to bypass long waiting lists.

He claimed his plans to transform his garden shed would have allowed him to pilot his ideas at an affordable cost, before moving to a commercial area if it proved a success.

But the proposals were turned down by Walsall Council on the grounds of accessibility, parking issues and overnight opening hours. Mr Dhody said he trained to become a dentist at Birmingham University and now sees between 20 and 30 patients a day working for the NHS at Prestige Dental Care in Bedworth.

He said:?"I want to be focussing around the emergency type of care.

"There's quite a bit of demand for that at the moment. A lot of people can't access a dentist."

He said he was disappointed when the local authority turned down the plans he had for his shed but he is looking to move on and wants to hear from anyone who may be able to help.

"It would have been available at night when dental pain often kicks in and it was easily accessible for me," he said.

"I was disappointed but I can understand that it was an unusual proposal.

"I'm looking for another space and am keeping my eyes open. I would consider anywhere in the West Midlands but obviously Walsall is closer to home."

Anyone who can help can call him on 07886 370992.