Dentists 'not taking on NHS work'

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Three in four dentists are not accepting new NHS patients due to local financial struggles, a survey suggests.

BBC News revealed last month that many NHS trusts predicted a funding shortfall this year, leaving dentists with no money to treat patients.

The Liberal Democrat poll of 1,013 dentists of England found 72% were not taking on new patients.

Dental leaders said the new contract was failing - but the government said dentistry was expanding.

NHS dentistry is expanding - primary care trusts are now commissioning more activity than was delivered last year Department of Health spokesman

The government introduced a new deal last April giving dentists the same money for treating fewer patients in a bid to get away from the "drill and fill" culture.

Primary care trusts, which have been given the responsibility for dental care, were told they should be making over £600m from NHS patients who pay - about a quarter of their overall funds.

Most adults pay for treatment, while groups including pregnant women, those on low incomes and children are exempt.

However, trusts are predicting they will not make as much as expected in patient fees, meaning they have not been able to pass funds back to dentists.

While the survey found three quarters of dentists were not taking NHS patients, half said they would be able to treat people privately.

Access

Lib Dem health spokeswoman Sandra Gidley said: "These shocking figures come less than a year after the botched new dental contract was introduced which promised to increase access to NHS dentistry for all.

"This is indicative of Labour's failure to restore the NHS to what it should be: a universal, comprehensive services that provides ongoing healthcare to everyone who needs it."

Lester Ellman, of the British Dental Association, said: "Dentists have been put in an impossible position.

"Many who want to take on NHS patients are not allowed to because the local primary care trusts haven't got the money."

But the Department of Health said the survey was "small and selective."

"NHS dentistry is expanding - primary care trusts are now commissioning more activity than was delivered last year."