AN MP has stepped in to try to prevent a York dental practice going private.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh said she was working closely with the Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) as it sought to persuade Wigginton Dental Practice to continue offering treatment on the NHS.

The Evening Press this week revealed that the practice planned to convert to a Denplan surgery - a scheme under which patients would have to make monthly payments rather than one-off check up fees. Flynn's Dental Practice, in Acomb, is also to substantially reduce the number of patients on its books by going private.

The move would mean the Wigginton practice would only be able to retain a percentage of its patients, leaving 1,200 to find a new dentist.

The MP is to meet practice representatives and the PCT later this month.

In a scathing attack, she accused the Government of "letting down" Vale of York residents on the provision of NHS dentistry, saying: "This is nothing but back-door privatisation".

Keith Lofthouse, owner of the Wigginton Dental Practice, said: "We are still in negotiations with the PCT, but I would be very surprised if they are able to offer us what we would need. The PCT has been brilliant - but it is constrained in what it is able to offer."

He agreed with Ms McIntosh that the Government's attitude towards NHS dentistry was effectively back-door privatisation. In April next year, responsibility for dental care is being devolved from the Government to PCTs.

Mr Lofthouse blamed the lack of clarity in what the new contracts would mean for his decision to convert to Denplan.

He said: "The Government is still trying out possible scenarios - it makes the Athenian Olympic builders look slick. It's a bit of a farce."

Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "We are negotiating a new dental contract which means that instead of being on what dentists call the 'treadmill' where they get paid for each individual treatment instead of by patient, they will have greater freedom and will see a reduction in bureaucracy.

"We are also devolving the £1.5bn we currently hold centrally for NHS dentistry so that they can plan properly at local level together with local dentists."

A Selby and York PCT spokesman said negotiations were ongoing with all dentists in the area.

Mr Lofthouse stressed that the Wigginton Dental Practice still planned to offer NHS treatment to children.

Updated: 10:52 Wednesday, May 12, 2004