There has been a shortage of NHS dentists in some parts of Wales

Mid Wales patients were told in January they could not register in Oswestry, Shropshire, due to new regulations.

But the decision may be altered if plans to expand the practice in the town go ahead.

Shropshire County Primary Care Trust is in talks with Powys Local Health Board about the issue.

In January, patients from Powys were told they would be prevented from using the new NHS practice in Shropshire due to changes in the funding arrangements across the border.

Local service

The new arrangements meant that English dentists would receive a guaranteed income to serve the local community rather than receive payment for each NHS treatment carried out.

The Shropshire trust said existing dental patients would not be affected by the rule change, but new patients from the Welsh side of the border looking to register would not be taken on.

Some areas of Wales have experienced severe shortages of NHS dentists which have seen large queues to register form in some towns including Carmarthen and Llangollen when practices have taken on new patients.

Many patients in rural areas are forced to travel miles for treatment.