Three NHS dental practices have recently closed in east Devon

The east Devon area has recently seen the loss of three practices, with more than 6,000 people being deregistered.

Since August last year two NHS dental practices in Exmouth have closed and another in Sidmouth, leaving many people without access to dental care.

As a temporary measure, the East Devon Primary Care Trust is hoping two NHS dentists will work from Exmouth Hospital, taking on 2,000 patients.

Acknowledged problem

Its longer term plans are to have appointed three dentists in the town by the end of the year and another four in other parts of east Devon during 2005, providing for 14,000 new NHS patients.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Blair has acknowledged in the House of Commons that there are real problems with NHS dentistry in the county.

Mr Blair was questioned by Anthony Steen, Conservative MP for Totnes, who asked whether Mr Blair was ashamed there were no NHS dentists in south Devon taking on new patients, giving old people and young families particular difficulties.

Mr Blair acknowledged the problem, but blamed the previous Conservative government for starting it.

He said new proposals to support NHS dentistry would be brought forward in the next few weeks, but he agreed there was a lot more to do.