Pair dread 'long trip' to dentist

Few NHS dentists are taking new patients

A Lincolnshire couple say they are upset because they have to travel 300 miles to visit a dentist.

The Bacons from Woodhall Spa say a shortage of dentists means they have to drive to Essex and back every time they want an appointment.

Karl and Doreen Bacon, who moved to the East Midlands from Essex three years ago, say the situation is deplorable.

"The fact that you have to go all that way for a couple of hours is wrong," said Mr Bacon.

'Maximum capacity'

"I called a local dentist and asked if they were taking patients and she said no and put the phone down."

Out of 130 surgeries in Lincolnshire that are registered with the NHS, only five are taking on new NHS patients.

The ones that are taking patients say there is a waiting time of between six weeks and 12 months.

Dentist Graham Dovey of Boston says he is full and cannot take any more patients.

"We are working at our maximum capacity and will be unable to see any more people or we will have to see more patients and provide a less comprehensive service," he said.

About 36% of adults in south-west London were registered with a NHS dentist last year.

Whereas 37% of children in Kent and Medway are registered with a NHS dentist compared with 67% in Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Health Minister Rosie Winterton said the government was committed to improving the service.

The government is spending £90m to tackle the shortage.