Dentists reject NHS patients

Ninety-five out of 100 dentists listed in the town are now only prepared to accept new private patients.

The Chairman of the Local Dental Committee, Derek Scoular, is predicting huge problems in the service in the next few years if more money is not pumped into dentistry in the town.

He claims a high workload among too few dentists has caused many local practices to stop offering NHS treatment.

Mr Scoular, a dentist in Westhougthon, said: "The workload has got so much worse because the town cannot attract new dentists.

"We have to think about the quality of service we are giving and we can't cope with the workload. Going private gives dentists room to concentrate on their quality."

He said it was now up to the Primary Care Trust, which manages local health services, to provide dental health to the community.Bolton already has one of the highest rates of dental decay in the country. More than half of five-year-olds in Bolton suffer from extensive tooth decay. There is a similar figures for children aged12 to 14.

Jenny Crabb, from Bolton's health watchdogs, the Community Health Counci, said: "We have been concerned for a long time at the lack of NHS dentistry in Bolton. We know that there are problems nationally, but the situation locally seems to be getting worse."

Bolton Primary Care Trust, which manages community health services, is considering introducing flouride into the water supply to try to reduce tooth decay.

But Mr Scoular said the Primary Care Trust should be trying to bring more NHS dentists to Bolton.

At the moment, emergency dentists offer a limited out-of-hours service for those people who are left without cover.

But this service is being criticised as being too small and unable to cope with the growing numbers of people left without a dentist.

All dentists have a duty to treat NHS patients they have treated in the past year or so. However, patients who have not seen their dentist for a couple of years are being refused treatment.

Mr Scoular would like to see dentistry moved high up the health agenda.

"It effects people in a big way. It can cause a lot of pain and cosmetic problems," Mr Scoular said.

He added: "The best advice to Bolton people is to make sure you don't lapse. But it is now up to the PCT to provide NHS provision."

No one at the Primary Care Trust was available for comment.

JUST five per cent of dentists in Bolton are continuing to take on new NHS patients, leaving the service in crisis, a leading dentist says.

Ninety-five out of 100 dentists listed in the town are now only prepared to accept new private patients.

The Chairman of the Local Dental Committee, Derek Scoular, is predicting huge problems in the service in the next few years if more money is not pumped into dentistry in the town.

He claims a high workload among too few dentists has caused many local practices to stop offering NHS treatment.

Mr Scoular, a dentist in Westhougthon, said: "The workload has got so much worse because the town cannot attract new dentists. We have to think about the quality of service we are giving and we can't cope with the workload. Going private gives dentists room to concentrate on their quality."

Bolton already has one of the highest rates of dental decay in the country. More than half of five-year-olds in Bolton suffer from extensive tooth decay. There is a similar figures for children aged 12 to 14.

Jenny Crabb, from Bolton's health watchdogs, the Community Health Counci, said: "We have been concerned for a long time at the lack of NHS dentistry in Bolton. We know that there are problems nationally, but the situation locally seems to be getting worse."

Bolton Primary Care Trust, which manages community health services, is considering introducing flouride into the water supply to try to reduce tooth decay.

But Mr Scoular said the Primary Care Trust should be trying to bring more NHS dentists to Bolton.

At the moment, emergency dentists offer a limited out-of-hours service for those people who are left without cover.

But this service is being criticised as being too small and unable to cope with the growing numbers of people left without a dentist.

All dentists have a duty to treat NHS patients they have treated in the past year or so. However, patients who have not seen their dentist for a couple of years are being refused treatment.