GOVERNMENT plans to create extra dental school places to tackle the chronic shortage of NHS dentists in North Yorkshire have received local backing.

Health minister Rosie Winterton unveiled a blueprint yesterday aiming to increase the number of dentists offering free treatment, including expanding places on dental training courses by as much as 25 per cent.

David Johnson, chief executive of the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA), said he welcomed the plans and what they will mean for patients.

"The national announcement of extra investment for recruitment and training of additional dentists means that our partners in the local universities in Hull and York can develop possible initiatives for dental workforce training," he said.

The SHA launched a strategy aimed at modernising and improving access to NHS dentistry across the region earlier this week.

It is also working with the Universities of York and Hull on a possible bid for dental students, which could be created on the same lines as the Hull York Medical School.

A school of dentistry is already part of plans to extend the York campus east of Heslington.

Professor Brian Cantor, vice-chancellor of the University of York, said they would look closely at the Department of Health's proposals.

"We are committed to playing our part in improving the health and well being of the region," he said.

Last month, the Evening Press reported that York MP Hugh Bayley was pressing for 60 new trainee places to come to the city to ease the escalating crisis and he will meet Ms Winterton for talks in the coming weeks.

There is not a single NHS dental practice in the city accepting new patients, with Wigginton Dental Practice and Flynn's Dental Practice, in Acomb, both due to withdraw from the NHS.

Updated: 08:49 Saturday, July 17, 2004