THIRTY-five dental practices in York and Selby have now agreed to sign up to controversial new NHS contracts, the Evening Press can reveal.
That means good news for thousands of dental patients, who are now assured a future with an NHS dentist.
Two weeks ago, only 23 practices had signed up to the new deal. Eleven had decided to turn their back on the National Health Service (NHS) and go private.
York dentist Keith Lofthouse, who owns Wigginton Dental Practice, in York, said he had agreed to the contract for children only and will continue to undertake private work.
He said: "We've been given targets and we're confident that we'll be able to meet them, so we are reasonably happy that we can still work for the NHS."
Dental practices were given until today to sign up the Government's new NHS contracts, which change the way they are paid for their work.
The new system means dentists will be given a salary rather than paid piecemeal for each bit of work they do.
The number of practices in Selby and York which are definitely known to be going private will leave 10,300 patients without an NHS dentist. At one point it was feared that 16,500 patients would be affected.
We contacted practices in the Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) area to find out which dentists were are staying with the NHS.
William Inness, a dentist who owns a practice in Haxby, said he was staying with the NHS, but had problems with the new system.
"The new system is fundamentally flawed. It won't benefit dentists or patients," he said.
Mr Lofthouse said: "The average dentist may struggle and have a lot of difficulties meeting the high targets set by the Government.
"The Government really hasn't listened to dentists and has only attempted to treat the issue of access.
"While this is important, it is not the only issue for dentists. The Government is ignoring the importance of quality ongoing care and preventative treatments, which are what patients require."
Selby and York PCT has said new contracts will give patients increased security, and that it will now be able to commission alternative NHS dental services when practices go private. The trust is planning to deliver nearly 10,000 NHS dental places across the region.
Anyone who requires an NHS dentist can register online at www.sypct.nhs.uk, or by phoning 01904 724107.
WE have asked dentists in Selby and York PCT's area whether they were staying in the NHS:
STAYING
Clifton Moor Dental Centre, York
Clock House Dental, York
Mr A G Head, Sherburn-in-Elmet
Cheetham & O'Neill Dental Surgeons, Selby
MR A R Dickens Dental Surgery, York
MR A R Waterfield, Tadcaster
Mr A S Haystead, Bishopthorpe, York
Mr D C Gilkeson, York
Mr I M Alpin, Mr K H Nicholson & Associates, York
Mr J C Hunter, York
Mr J D White & Associates, York
Mr K K Pillai, Selby
Mr K Lofthouse & Associates, Wigginton, York
Mr M Hopkins & Asssociates, York
Mr N J Britton & Mr R H Griffiths, Sherburn-in-Elmet
Mr P T Mikola, Copmanthorpe
Mr R F Eades, Mrs G M Eades & Associates, Tadcaster
Mr R L Walker, Easingwold
Mr S J Cain, York
Mr W S Inness & Associates, Haxby
Mrs J J Holbrook & Mr S A Holbrook, York
Red Lea Dental Practice, Easingwold
The Aldwark Dental Practice, York
LEAVING
Acorn Dental Practice, Acomb
Bridge Street Dental Care, Tadcaster
Castlegate Dental Surgery, York
Manor House Dental Practice, York
Mrs L Allman & Associates, Acomb
Orthodontic Excellence, Acomb
The Beeches Dental Surgery, Acomb
UNDER DISCUSSION
Clifton Dental Practice, York
D R Glover & Associates, York
Mr M R Bayne, Mr R Fisher & Associates, Strensall, York
Oasis Dentalcare, York
NOT KNOWN
Dunnington Dental Practice, York
Mr J J Crabb, Upper Poppleton, York
Mr J N Butterfield & Mr N J A Slater & Associates, Selby
Mr R S Dobson & Associates, York
Mr T E Brown, Woodthorpe
Mr V Brooks, Haxby, York
Mrs L Kentley, York
Poppleton Dental Practice, Upper Poppleton, York
The Dental Practice, Selby
NOTE: Some dental practices declined to comment or were not available when we phoned them. In these cases we have assumed their position is the same as it was when we last contacted them a fortnight ago.
Updated: 09:45 Friday, March 31, 2006
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