MP Outraged over Local Dental Charges

12.00.00am GMT Tue 19th Nov 2002

MP Vincent Cable has written to Alan Milburn and the local Primary Care Trust after a borough pensioner, over 70 years-old, was directed to the only NHS dentist she could find, in Twickenham, but was told that the badly needed dentistry she required could no longer be provided on the NHS and would cost her over £3,500.

Since the dentistry service was, in effect, privatised in the early 1990's, many residents who qualify for free NHS dentistry have been unable to obtain treatment and those who have to pay have faced escalating costs.

br> Vincent Cable said: "I have come across many cases of people having difficulty getting NHS dentistry but this is the most extreme."

"The dentists seem to be saying: 'because you are old we can't be bothered with your teeth. Have them out or pay through the nose'. The problem is made worse by the ending of free dental checks; more and more people don't realise that they have a problem until major dental surgery is needed."

"There is a growing clamour in parliament over the issue of dentistry and the government will have to address it".

(Contact Norma Rivers Bland 8876 6515)