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