Half of dentists turn their backs on NHS patients

A survey by independent consumer magazine Which? has shown that 51% of dentists are now only taking on patients if they agree to pay for their treatment privately - reports the Daily Mail.

In some areas the situation is so bad that only 13% of dentists are taking on NHS patients.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said the figures showed NHS dentistry is becoming 'a thing of the past'.

"What is most worrying is that many people on low incomes are effectively excluded from dental care", he said.

"One 80-year-old woman who came to me needed teeth taking out and new false teeth putting in. She was told that would cost between £500 and £800 to have done privately - because she can't get an NHS dentist."

Researchers from Which? contacted 466 dentists across the country, posing as patients.

Recent surveys by Which? has also highlighted disatisfaction at the state of the NHS. Spokesperson Frances Blunden said:

"The government has ploughed enormous amounts of money into the NHS but on the ground the public are seeing cuts in services and considerable difficulties getting treatment."

Presumably Norman Lamb will be one MP at least who will not be approving the waste of an extra £2.5bn a year on the audit-failing and terminally wasteful EU - at least until this serious public service problem is solved?

As he himself admits - and he will obviously be far from the only MP - his constituents are suffering as a result.

How will he explain to the 80-year-old woman he mentions as being unable to get an NHS dentist that, despite this abject failure of a key public service, he has nevertheless approved upping the EU's grant by a whopping 60%.