Many people are missing out on free dental treatment

The petitioners from Bowness and Windermere say there is a particular shortage in their area.

Health officials in south Cumbria say they are trying to attract more NHS dentists and are meeting to discuss the problem.

South Lakes MP Tim Collins will raise the matter in the Commons.

Adele Rands-Trevor, who organised the petition, said her children forced her to take action.

She said: "The government urges healthy eating and healthy teeth but my children cannot get to see a dentist unless we sign up to a private plan."

'National problem'

Leigh Griffin, chief executive of the local primary care trust, said a meeting is being held to bring the matter to the attention of the trust's board members.

He said: "We are similarly concerned. We know access to NHS dentistry is way short of what it should be, and it is a national problem.

"We have recently been doing a lot of work to see how we can improve access and there is action under way in terms of trying to appoint some salaried dentists.

"We are also working with health teams to look at more flexible ways of working and talking to universities about being a training base for final-year dental students."

Mr Griffin said he will be calling on the board to hold a public meeting in Bowness and Windermere to hear concerns and share some of the plans.