Dental contract 'fails' patients

Cornwall is one of the worst areas in England for access to NHS dentists

The government's new contract for dentists has failed patients in Cornwall, its five MPs have said.

Figures from the South West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) show nearly 8,000 fewer people have been seen by an NHS dentist since April 2006.

The aim of the contract was to improve dentistry access for those who could not afford private care.

But the Department of Health said new practices were opening across England and the reforms were beginning to work.

The five MPs - Matthew Taylor, Colin Breed, Andrew George, Dan Rogerson and Julia Goldsworthy - said they were told only one surgery in Cornwall was accepting new NHS patients from across the county.

Dental school

A further two practices would accept new patients within their local catchment areas.

SHA figures show nearly 280,000 people saw an NHS dentist in Cornwall before the new contract, but since April 2006, that figure has dropped by 7,900.

Cornwall has been identified as one of the worst area's in the country for access to dental care.

Earlier this year, England's Chief Dental Officer Dr Barry Cockcroft said everyone in Cornwall who wanted an NHS dentist would get one, although he refused to give a definite date.

Findings 'considered'

He made his comments in February during a visit to the new Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth which began training students last September

Last week the Commons Health Select Committee released a report saying there had been a fall in patients being treated by the NHS.

It said access remained "patchy" and there had been a sharp fall in the number of complex procedures.

The Department of Health said it would "carefully consider" the report.