NHS DENTISTS IN SHREWSBURY

Motion Text

That this House is concerned that only one dental practice out of 24 in Shrewsbury and Atcham is accepting new NHS patients; notes that there are 8,700 fewer people in Shropshire registered with an NHS dentist in 2002 than in 1998; believes that the dental access centres are useful as an emergency, one-off treatment centre but are no substitute for an adequate number of NHS dentists that patients can register with; acknowledges Shropshire County Primary Care Trust's failed attempts to recruit new NHS dentists; notes comments from their Acting Chief Executive that the increasing trend towards private sector working with a reduced workload has led to a shortage of dentists; particularly in areas distant from large cities with dental schools; and urges the Government to intervene to ensure that all patients who wish to register with an NHS dentist are able to do so.