No NHS dentists for Clapham residents - Nicholson

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 26th Aug 2007

Research conducted by Chris Nicholson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Streatham, has found a lack of dental practices offering treatment on the National Health Service in the Clapham area.

In a telephone survey of all dental practices listed on Lambeth Primary Care Trust's website, it was found that no practice within the SW4 postcode actually provided for NHS treatment. Most dental practices within the SW16 and SW2 did however provide treatment on the NHS.

But the survey also found that even if treatment on the NHS could be obtained, patients may experience long waiting times for a first appointment sometimes ranging from 2 to 4 weeks.

The situation in the Clapham area is not unusual. A recent national survey by the Liberal Democrat in February 2007 found that 30% of dentists were not taking on new NHS patients, while about half were only taking on private patients.

Speaking about the results, local campaigner Chris Nicholson said:

"I find it completely unacceptable that NHS treatment is only available in certain areas of London while being scarce in others."

"The government has let both patients and dentists down over its botched new contracts for dental work on the NHS."

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to reforming these contracts to ensure that while patients can access treatment, dentists are being properly compensated for their hard work."