Shock for city dental patients

This shocking gap in local dentistry services has been highlighted by a Lancaster pensioner, who called every dental practice in the district only to be told they could not accept her.

Katerina Hinde was suffering with a loose tooth and severe toothache and tried to book an appointment for treatment.

Despite calling every surgery in the phone book she was unable to find someone to treat her. It got so bad she considered visiting the RLI's casualty department and was eventually told to visit the Emergency Dental Service in Preston.

The stunned pensioner said: "My tooth was very, very painful and I couldn't eat. I telephoned every dentist in the book and they all said they were no longer taking on new NHS patients. I was shocked. There was nothing I could do other than suffer the pain."

Her son, Harry, was incredulous at the situation.

He said: "It's upsetting to see your mother in such pain. Her mouth was swollen and she had terrible toothache. She was registered with a dentist but hadn't been for quite a while and had been taken off the list. I couldn't believe it when she was unable to get any treatment. I had to remind myself that we supposedly live in a modern, civilised society but here was an elderly woman suffering and there was no one to help her."

The local situation was confirmed by the Community Health Council who said they have been concerned about the lack of provision for NHS patients for some time.

Chief Officer Judith Deft called a number of surgeries and was also told that no new NHS patients were being taken on. One practice in Skerton said they could accept Mrs Hinde at the end of May.

Mrs Deft explained that Government money for NHS dentistry had been made available but as yet, none had been spent in the Lancaster and Morecambe area.

A CHC spokesman said: "The problem is that all the NHS places have been taken up but the situation changes from day to day so I would advise that people keep checking."