THOUSANDS of people across South Lakeland have lost access to an NHS dentist over the last four years.

Newly-released figures show that in June 2001 there were 61,942 people in South Lakeland registered with an NHS dentist, but by June this year that figure had fallen to 53,500 a drop from 61 to 50 per cent of the population.

Across Morecambe Bay, the percentage of adult patients registered with a dentist this March was 42.6 per cent, which is below the national average of nearly 44 per cent.

However, children in the Bay fared better, as 60.5 per cent were registered with an NHS dentist earlier this year, which is just below the national average of 61.2 per cent However, members of Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust board were told about action that has been taken to ease the situation. This includes: l A Dental Access Team which takes calls from the public, offers advice and gives urgent appointments where needed. Between November 2004 and June this year, the team dealt with 12,549 calls.

l Five new international recruits have come to work for the PCT over the last 15 months: one Greek, one Portuguese and three Polish.

l Dental access centres in Barrow and Morecambe which, as well as emergency appointments, can now offer courses of treatment to children and young people.

l Emergency dental services, including evening and weekend sessions at Kendal.

There are also plans for a five-surgery dental centre in Kendal, and a two-surgery practice in Windermere.

In a report to the board, PCT director of primary care and community services Caroline Rea said: "Access to NHS dentistry is still an important issue and is still a matter of concern."

The board was also told that that several members of the public had contacted the Health Service Ombudsman with their concerns about a lack of NHS dentists. As a result, the ombudsman will be visiting the bay on December 21.

The PCT is now making plans for next April when it takes over responsibility for the commissioning of dental services.