THE WRITING has been on the wall for a while but it now seems undeniable that NHS dentistry across the country is fast approaching a state of crisis. Dentists in Otley and Aireborough had warned last year that the introduction of the new national contract in April would effectively force many of them to 'go private'. The British Dental Association says the Government drawn-up arrangements simply won't give their members the means to keep providing quality NHS treatment.

Now a new survey of all the practices across Leeds North West has revealed the full scale of the problem - with nearly half of the dentists who took part saying they will stop treating patients on the NHS. The survey, commissioned by Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, also showed that fewer than ten per cent were accepting new adult NHS patients - and under 20 per cent were accepting children.

Meanwhile increasing numbers of patients have been receiving letters from practices telling them their NHS treatments can no longer continue - and offering private alternatives. But for anyone without the money there is no real choice at all. The effect of all this will surely be to deter the less well-off from going to their dentists when they should, for fear of the expense. And that's a shocking legacy for a Government that has been so quick to proclaim its belief in both the National Health System and social justice.

Burley-in-Wharfedale's Probus Male Voice choir plays an important community role in Burley, providing entertainment and raising hundreds of pounds for charity each year. But now its future is threatened because it is struggling to find a conductor. Organisers could certainly not be accused of narrowing down their options - the applicants can be male or female, it doesn't matter whether they are Probus members or not, and they don't even have to live in Burley.

For many years now the choir has provided artistic fulfilment for its members and entertainment for the local community. Surely there must be someone who is willing to take on this important role and safeguard its future.