BRADFORD needs more than "empty promises" if patients are to be able to access to NHS dentists, an MP and patient watchdog group has warned.

Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, is lobbying the Government to demand improvements to local services, which have been labelled a “mismatch of patient need and actual provision” by Healthwatch Bradford and District.

NHS England admitted that certain parts of Bradford were proving a “challenge”, but said projects were under way in a bid to fix the problem.

“Access to dentists in Bradford remains simply too difficult for far too many residents,” said Mrs Cummins.

"Recently I met with the Government Minister responsible for dentistry to demand improvements. I was told that a review is currently under way into the availability of dentists in the city.

"I will continue to press Government as we need real change on the ground, not empty promises about endless reviews with improvements years down the line.”

In February, Healthwatch spoke to more than 1,000 patients across Bradford about access to NHS dentists.

Manager Andrew Jones said: “We found that 43 per cent of people didn’t have a dentist, and the most common reason was that they simply couldn’t find one taking on new patients.

"Healthwatch shares the frustration of people who are struggling to get routine dental care, and our recent survey highlighted the full extent of the problem. It’s time for action to be taken by those who plan dental services.

“NHS England has developed a business case for a pilot scheme that would open up more appointments in the areas with greatest need. We understand that this work is still in progress, so we’ve yet to see this being rolled out to make a difference to people who need dental care."

"Healthwatch won’t give up working on the issue of access to NHS dentists until we see real improvements.”

It is understood pilot schemes would be funded by money reclaimed from planned, but not delivered dental activity.

Kathryn Hilliam, head of primary care co-commissioning at NHS England in West Yorkshire, said: “More than 11,500 new patients were able to access NHS dental services in the West Yorkshire area between September 2014 and September 2015 and access has increased overall.

"Access to dental care in Bradford is higher than that across England, but there are areas in the city where access is more of a challenge.

"The West Yorkshire Local Dental Network is continuing its work to oversee a project to address the issue of access in areas across West Yorkshire.

“This is paying particular attention to areas of Bradford where access is poor and further affected by high treatment needs in socially deprived areas, and includes both in hours and out-of-hours access and how patients can be better signposted to dental services.”

When asked about timescales for the pilot schemes, an NHS England spokesman said work was "continuing."

Bradford patient Brian O’Connor said he had been told that to access a dental appointment he would have to travel to Leeds. 

Mr O’Connor, of Mayfair, in Holme Top, said he had contacted numerous practices across the district, including the nearby mydentist on Little Horton Lane, with no luck. 

“The NHS are refusing to face up to this problem, they don’t want to know,” he said. 

“I have been trying to get an appointment in Bradford for three or four months, and despite having a practice a few hundred yards down the road, I’ve been told I’d have to go to Leeds. 

“All I want is to have my teeth fixed, it’s a basic service. 

“I’ve spoken to the NHS, to the patient liaison service, but no-one is willing to listen and admit there is a problem."

A spokesman for mydentist on Little Horton Lane confirmed the practice was only currently accepting children for NHS appointments, not adults. 

She said that the last NHS intake had been done four months ago, when the practice took on 1,500 new patients in just three weeks. 

A spokesman for NHS England said there was no list of dental practices accepting NHS patients as the position could change on a daily or weekly basis. 

Patients are advised to use the NHS Choices website, which doesn’t currently appear to show any practices in the district accepting new NHS patients.

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