FIRST it was the doctors - now it is the dentists.

In the latest attempt to clear their massive debts, cash-strapped health bosses have banned dentists across York and North Yorkshire from directly referring patients to hospital for key treatments. They will have to submit patients' cases to a panel at the primary care trust (PCT) for approval - and only those deemed "exceptional" will be accepted.

Key oral surgery procedures to remove wisdom teeth or orthodontic, teeth- straightening treatments would not be approved - even if patients were suffering agonising toothache.

A PCT spokesman said access to these treatments had been suspended for three months while the situation was assessed.

NHS cuts bite on dental ops

DENTAL patients suffering from excruciating toothache may not now be able to get it treated on the NHS, The Press can reveal today.

Health bosses have banned dentists across York and North Yorkshire from directly referring patients to hospital for key treatments.

Instead, they will have to submit cases to a panel at the primary care trust (PCT) for approval - and only those deemed "exceptional" will be accepted.

PCT bosses have confirmed treatment will be available for those at significant risk of long-term damage. But key oral surgery procedures, such as removing wisdom teeth or orthodontic and teeth straightening treatments, would not be approved - even if patients are suffering agonising toothache.

A PCT spokesman said access to these services had been suspended for three months.

Jason Atkinson, a dentist at WS Inness and Associate, in Haxby, York, backed our Let Your Doctor Decide campaign, which is calling on the PCT to scrap its prior approval panel.

He said the decision took away "clinical freedom" and revealed an oral surgeon at York Hospital was told he could not remove one of his patient's wisdom teeth, despite admitting it needed doing.

"We've been told we can't refer these cases anymore," said Mr Atkinson. "I've had several patients already that I've not been able to refer. We can't refer to the approval panel unless it's very serious or life-threatening."

Mr Atkinson said he would normally use National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines before referring patients to York Hospital.

"The PCT are just using money as their guidelines now and, in principle, I'm against it," he said.

"Ultimately, it should be the doctors' and dentists' decision and not put in the hands of a panel."

A PCT spokesman said: "All referrals by dentists will be assessed by specialists in Dental Public Health Medicine. This temporary restriction will allow us to complete further work to determine future commissioning arrangements and care pathways.

"We are reviewing the care pathways for oral surgery and orthodontic treatment and we have written to practices to find out the skills and competencies available in primary care.

"It is our intention to expand services with primary care specialists and dentists with special interests in oral surgery and orthodontics in primary care over the next few months."