Many people cannot access an NHS dentist

Health Secretary John Reid told the Commons on Monday that new arrangements would now be in place by April 2006, rather than this October.

Talks on reforms designed to ensure more people have access to NHS dentists broke down last month.

The British Dental Association welcomed the delay, but the Tories called Mr Reid's announcement "shocking".

Today's announcement finally brings to an end the concept of a 'big bang' approach. John Renshaw

Negotiations on the new contract will not now resume until the summer - probably after a General Election.

The decision follows a report by the National Audit Office which warned that many Primary Care Trusts were not ready to implement wide-ranging reform.

It also warned lack of detail about how the new system would work might persuade dentists to reduce their NHS commitments.

In a ministerial statement, Mr Reid said: "The system reform which we will be undertaking is a complex one where we have to ensure that the component parts interconnect effectively.

"We believe more time is needed to ensure complete system reform."

However, he said 3,500 dentists were already working under new arrangements, with more expected in the coming months.

And he said good progress had been made in recruiting 1,000 more dentists to address shortages across England.

No big bang

Some dentists have expressed concern that the current proposals would prevent a preventative approach to dental care.

John Renshaw, chair of the British Dental Association's executive board, said the move could provide breathing space for both sides to sit down and resolve outstanding issues.

"Today's announcement finally brings to an end the concept of a 'big bang' approach, something which the BDA has long argued against.

The Health Secretary's sole refuge is to delay further reform until well after the likely date of the next General Election. Andrew Lansley

"Now we can get on with working out the practical details to ensure a smooth transition into the new system.

"PCTs are already feeling the pressure of the extra responsibility for services.

"This delay will help ease that pressure and enable PCTs and dentists to work together on a smooth transition to the new system."

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Today's admission by John Reid confirms that Labour's plans for NHS dentistry have collapsed and that Labour's timetable is in tatters.

"The Health Secretary's sole refuge is to delay further reform until well after the likely date of the next General Election. How many people will suffer as a result?"

Mr Lansley said dentists were leaving the NHS in their droves. He said 300 practices had switched to private insurance plans in the last year.

Frances Blunden, of the consumer magazine Which?, also expressed concern.

She said: "We're extremely concerned that long-overdue reforms are to be delayed even further until 2006.

"We have been waiting for the government's announcement on the levels of NHS dental charges for nine months.