Novel spot beside mill recommended by dentists (5)

I believe the answer is:

floss

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'novel' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for floss that I've seen before include "Teeth-cleaning thread" , "A mass of silky fibres - dental?" , "What dentist could recommend" , "advice of dentist?" , "Kind of down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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