Dentists can earn substantially more from private patients

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that just 48% are registered with an NHS dentist.

In some areas, the figure is even lower with just one in five turning to the NHS for dental treatment.

The Lib Dems said the figures highlighted the government's failure to improve NHS dental services.

Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged that everyone would be able to see a dentist on the NHS by 2001.

Millions not registered

However, official figures published last year showed four out of 10 dentists were refusing to take on any new NHS patients.

The Lib Dem figures reveal that over 25 million people are not registered with an NHS dentist.

Worst areas 1. Thames Valley 2. North-east London 3. South-west London 4. South-east London 5. North-central London

However, there are huge variations across England. In Norwich, 77% of people are able to get free dental treatment on the NHS, while in London just 40% are registered. In Kensington and Chelsea just 21% of people turn to the NHS for dental treatment.

Many dentists say they do not have space on their lists to take on any new NHS patients. Most can earn substantially more by treating patients privately. The average fee for a private dental examination is four times higher than the NHS fee.

In 2000, ministers announced plans to set up dental access centres in areas where patients found it difficult to find an NHS dentist.

However, Dr Harris criticised the centres saying they are rarely convenient for patients.

"These schemes risk being a waste of money. They mean that patients have to travel further and mean that illnesses are not picked up early enough or prevented.

"The pledge that patients would have access to NHS dentistry really meant that everyone will have access to a telephone and a long car journey. Many people cannot register with a dentist at all and have to travel miles to find a treatment centre.

"The failure to increase registrations is an indictment of Labour's failure to restore the NHS to what it should be - a universal, comprehensive service that provides ongoing preventive care to everyone who needs it."

He added: "This is bad news for the nation's teeth."

The Department of Health said more and more patients are being seen by NHS dentists.

"Two million more courses of dental treatment were completed in 2002 than in 1997. Registration figures only cover general dental service patients seen within the last 15 months," a spokeswoman said.

"Many patients may choose to see their dentist less frequently, especially as oral health has improved and some attend dental practices outside the area where they live."

Dr John Renshaw, chairman of the British Dental Association's executive board, said: "Dentistry has been low on the list of NHS priorities for a long time now, but hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"The government has published its blueprint for NHS dentistry in the Health & Social Care Bill, which gives primary care trusts the power to commission local services.

"Provided this is properly funded, it could go a long way to help solve difficulties of access to NHS dentistry."

He added: "While many dentists are reducing their NHS commitment, it's rarely to increase their income.

"We know from our own research that the main reason dentists increase their private work is to spend more time with their patients.