Tooth decay

It's one of the mysteries of the National Health Service that many people say they can't get an NHS dentist even though spending on the health service under Labour has nearly doubled.

Last year the government introduced a new contract for dentists in England and Wales to tackle the shortage of dentists especially in deprived areas.

A lot of dentists, however, have attacked the new contract because of the way it rewards them for the amount of work they do.

They say it isn't eradicating a postcode lottery in dentistry. Many MPs have complained too because they say that under the new system, PCTs, Primary Care Trusts aren't using their powers properly to commission new dental services in areas which most need them.

Our reporter Ben Shore has been talking to England's Chief Dental Officer but first we hear why the contract was brought in: