SIR - In spite of the present publicity about the growing shortage of NHS dentists, which is quite clearly a scandal caused mainly by the usual excessive government interference, a small but important matter seems to have escaped attention, namely the now exorbitant charges for free' treatment by NHS dentists.

In case any of your readers have had the good fortune not to need dental treatment since before last April, they may be unaware that the minimum charge for any sort of dental treatment under the free-for-all' NHS is now more that £40 - even for a regular inspection, which before April cost less that £20.

Ian R McDougall, Hawkswood Avenue, Heaton