HEALTH bosses in Trafford say four new dental practices are to open in the borough in an attempt to tackle the NHS dentist crisis.

Of the 30 dental practices currently listed on Trafford Primary Care Trust’s website, none are taking on new adult NHS patients – a situation reflected across the country as more dentists go private and people struggle to get affordable care.

The exact location of the practices has yet to be decided, but there will be two in the north of the borough and two in the south. They are all scheduled to open by January 2009.

Sheena Cumiskey, chief executive at Trafford PCT, says the four new practices will help an estimated 20,000 more patients in Trafford access an NHS dentist.

She said: "We are also in discussions with our existing NHS dentists about how they can increase their capacity for taking on new patients. We are confident that we can redress the situation we have in Trafford, which is no different to the situation anywhere else in the UK.

"We do have an emergency helpline, and people in Trafford will always be able to access an NHS dentist in an emergency – they will never be left to suffer – but these plans will mean it’s much easier for them to access routine care on the NHS."

NHS dentists interested in operating the new practices are currently submitting proposals and running costs as part of a formal tender process. The PCT will then commission the services it feels best meet the needs of Trafford residents and represent value for money.

Lester Ellman, who runs Ellman & Associates dental practice on Regent Road, Altrincham, chairs Trafford Local Dental Committee.

He says the PCT’s plans appear good on the surface, but that better communication between the PCT and local dentists is needed.

He said: "The communication is virtually non-existent at the moment, and it is one of the big problems that dentists in the area have.

"There is a shortage of NHS dentists in some areas of Trafford, so the concept is sound, but it is hard to know at this stage how it will work out. I often find the devil is in the detail. It will certainly be possible for some of the existing NHS practices to increase their capacity, but the PCT needs to make it an attractive prospect, and they need to consult with the dentists, otherwise they will not win any friends. We can tell them what is likely to work and what isn’t."

Trafford health campaigner Judie Collins says a major problem is that when people move surgeries, their records don’t go with them.

She said: "It means that someone like me, with a complicated dental history, whose dentist moves from NHS to private, doesn’t feel they can switch to another. I think people can feel there is no point in getting an NHS dentist, because they will only turn private anyway."

Ms Cumiskey says the PCT is determined to attract dentists back to the NHS and turn the situation around. "This investment marks a turning point in the availability of NHS dental services in Trafford," she said. "We are committed to attracting local, experienced dentists back to providing NHS care for the people of Trafford, who have told us that they need it.

"We will keep a close watch on the uptake of these new services and, if appropriate, we will take steps to further respond to the dental needs of the local population."

For information on emergency dental care ring 08456 020 708.

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