Torbay councillors have added their voice to growing concern over a lack of dentists accepting National Health Service patients.

Members of the Council's Health Scrutiny Board have agreed to conduct a review on access to NHS dentistry services in Torbay.

In a joint initiative already involving Cornwall County Council, Devon County Council and Plymouth City Council, local authorities are exploring the provision of dental services within their own areas.

The decision of the Scrutiny Board follows concern expressed by local residents through the media about problems in accessing NHS dentistry services in Torbay.

In recent times, there has been a decline in the number of patients registered with NHS dentists, with only one practice taking on new patients in the Bay. The problem is particularly acute in Brixham where there is no NHS dentistry provision.

The trend has led to a large increase in the number of helpline requests for dental care, and the emergency dental service has struggled to meet the demand from unregistered patients seeking treatment.

The Board has set up a Review Panel to examine the current provision of dental services in Torbay. Specifically it will investigate the extent to which access to NHS dental services presents problems for patients in Torbay. It will also investigate the factors leading to the difficulties, including the changing pattern of dentistry and the changes proposed by central government. An assessment will also be made of the impact of the difficulties in accessing NHS dentistry services on the dental health of the residents and visitors to the Bay.

As part of the review process, the Panel will consult the public through its ViewPoint Panel and seek the views of local dentists. It is also the intention to analyse proposed legislative changes, conduct site visits to dental practices and seek evidence from expert witnesses.

The Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Board, Councillor Wendy Burridge, said: 'We feel it is important to carry out this review. There is a general perception that as dentists have withdrawn from providing NHS services, it has become increasingly difficult for patients to find a dental practice which provides NHS dental services.

'Unlike many health topics which only affect a small proportion of the population, dentistry is a universal service which is needed by us all.'

The Review Panel will produce a report on its findings. It is hoped that the recommendations from the review will result in easier and fairer access to dental services in Torbay and lead to improvements in the dental health of the population.

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