Preston Dentists have no confidence in Government policy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 22nd Sep 2008

Liberal Democrats would scrap Dental check up charges.

Dentists in Preston have no confidence in Government policy or the future of NHS dentistry according to a survey by Preston's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, Mark Jewell. Over 90% of those responding said they would consider resigning their NHS contract if things got worse.

The survey highlighted a shortage of NHS dentists in Preston. Furthermore, dentists believe the current contracts, introduced in 2006, are not working and are costing patients more.

Mark Jewell commented, "Since Labour came to power thousands of people in Preston have lost access to their NHS dentist".

"The Liberal Democrats would scrap dental check up charges and encourage personal dental plans for patients to encourage preventative dental care".

"The Liberal Democrats also want dentists to be properly compensated for completing dental work on the NHS. The Governments own figures show that patients are more likely to have teeth removed or dentures fitted rather than undergo complex work, such as crowns".