Kick in the teeth for the Government as hundreds sign NHS dentist petition

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Sep 2004

Mike with a local man equally concerned about the lack of NHS dentists

People queued up throughout the day at Kingsbridge show last Saturday to support the Liberal Democrat petition calling for National Health dentistry to be available for all. Over 400 people signed and were vehement in their protests at the current situation. Not one National Health dentist in the South Hams, or Torbay currently has a vacancy which leaves a stark choice for those needing dental treatment - either pay to go private or go without.

Speaking after the show Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven, said:

'The overwhelming support we have had to our demands for more National Health dentists demonstrates how fed up people are with the Governments attitude to dental care. People are either reducing the frequency of check ups or not bothering to go to the dentist at all except when in pain. Many people just cannot afford the costs of private treatment.'

He continued:

' The lack of National Health dentists means that people miss out on regular check ups which are the key to preventative dental care. When they then have problems with their teeth they just cannot afford to have them treated. We are just storing up huge problems for the future. The strength of feeling demonstrated at Kingsbridge Show just shows how quickly the Government needs to act.'