Only half of Plymouth's adults are registered with an NHS dentist

A Plymouth councillor said dentists from France and Spain could sail on scheduled ferries for two-week "working holidays" in Devon and Cornwall.

The proposal, from Dr David Salter, thought to be the first of its kind in the country, received backing from councillors across the two counties.

The Strategic Health Authority said it welcomed ideas for improving dentistry.

We are just trying to put a sticking plaster on what is a very sore place right now Dr David Salter

Dr Salter's proposals were heard when representatives from Plymouth City Council's health overview and scrutiny panel met with other members of scrutiny committees from Devon County Council, Cornwall County Council and Torbay Council last Friday.

He said: "I used to live on the Continent, and I am well aware that dental services are no more expensive than in this country and, in my view, just as good."

Dr Salter was inspired by similar plans, announced last month, to organise a "tooth ferry" to carry patients from the Isle of Wight to Normandy for dental treatment.

He said only half of Plymouth's adult population was registered with an NHS dentist and last month a further 7,000 NHS patients in the city were de-registered when their dentist expanded his private work.

The councillor admitted the project was not a long-term solution, but added: "We are just trying to put a sticking plaster on what is a very sore place right now."

Pilot sites

If his idea is not practical, patients could be sent to the Continent by ferry as with the Isle of Wight scheme, he said.

Chris Leopold of the South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority, said: "NHS dental access is a significant problem across peninsula and the South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority is working closely with partners across Devon and Cornwall to improve NHS dental access.

"Devon and Cornwall are pilot sites for the Options for Change programme, which is looking at improving the links between Primary Care Trusts and Dental practices.

"Together with the Department of Health, we are seeking to actively recruit qualified dentists from European Union countries, including Denmark, Poland and Spain.

"We welcome the work and support of the Overview and Scrutiny committees in looking seriously towards the short and medium-term solutions for this problem."