Otley patients seeking an NHS dentist might be expected to travel up to 16 miles for treatment.

That is one of the shock details to emerge from correspondence between Leeds North West MP Harold Best, who has highlighted a shortage of NHS dentists in the area, and the Department of Health.

Health minister Rosie Winterton, replying to Mr Best's letter asking for reassurance that the service would improve, stresses that the Government is ploughing resources into NHS dentistry.

But she also admits that investigations by her own staff found that no dentists are registering new NHS patients in the town any more.

In a statement intended to reassure Mr Best, she said: "My officials inform me that Leeds North West Primary Care Trust (PCT) has set targets for the distance people should have to travel to access NHS dentistry, which are 14 miles for routine dentistry in rural areas and 16 miles for urgent dentistry in rural areas.

"The PCT is also giving the current situation in Otley the highest priority. The situation changed when one of the largest dental practices recently converted to private practice on the retirement of a long-serving dentist."

The whole issue came to a head earlier this year when Olney Dental Care, one of the last remaining NHS practices, announced it would be going private in September.

The problems facing NHS patients was then brought to Mr Best's attention by Otley man and Olney Dental Care patient Malcolm Naylor, who will need to find a new practice from next month.

Mr Naylor was far from encouraged by the mileage restriction quoted by Ms Winterton. He said: "They haven't made it clear if the 14 or 16 miles they're talking about is a single or return journey, but I think we have to assume it's single.

"That would mean people travelling to the other side of Leeds or even up to Ripon!"

In a more positive development, however, Ms Winterton has confirmed that two practices in the Otley area have shown an interest in converting quickly to a Personal Dental Services contract.

Leeds North West PCT says that would help secure and maintain NHS dentistry in the area, and claims it is an option it will be encouraging more practices to follow.

The Government recently announced an extra £368 million investment in NHS dentistry, and aims to have recruited the equivalent of 1,000 NHS dentists by October, 2005.

Ms Winterton says Wharfedale patients like Mr Naylor should soon start to feel the benefit of these measures. She said: "We are aware that in some areas it can still be difficult, especially for adults, to access NHS dental care.

"However, we are committed to rebuilding NHS dentistry and are confident that more dentists, new working arrangements and the extra funds we are providing will soon deliver a better deal for patients, dentists and the NHS."

Until things improve, meanwhile, the Government is advising patients to contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk to find out more information about their nearest NHS practice.