A DEVASTATING new survey of the area's National Health Service dentists has revealed that half could quit the NHS from next month.

Otley MP Greg Mulholland commissioned the research to gauge the full extent of concerns amongst dentists in Leeds North West over the new national contract, which comes into effect on April 1.

The results show that 50 per cent of those who responded are either going to stop NHS treatment (42 per cent) or have doubts about continuing (eight per cent).

Mr Mulholland, who is being inundated with letters from worried patients, says the responses also show that dentists' morale is worryingly low.

Comments received included: "We're close to breaking point" and "The changes are unworkable...we would go out of business."

Thousands of children, as well as adults, could also face difficulty getting NHS treatment under the new arrangements.

Leeds North West Primary Care Trust (PCT) has decided that any dentist who opts out of treating adults on the NHS will no longer be paid to treat children.

One dentist of 43 years standing, who works at practices in Aireborough and South Leeds and asked not to be named, said the profession was furious at the enforced changes.

He said: "This is a cynical move. All governments have thought they were spending too much on dentistry and now they've found ways of making the system increasingly worse for the dentists.

"The terms of the new contract are supremely unattractive and it's a disincentive to stay within the NHS. The Aireborough practice I work for is going private on March 31, and the timing is no coincidence.

"There's been no consultation, just imposition. A quarter of dentists in the country haven't signed up to the new contract, so where are all those patients going to go? People who aren't already accommodated on the NHS will find great difficulty getting treatment.

"As for the treatment of children, the PCT has decided not to support NHS treatment for those whose parents are treated privately.

"People who can afford around £500 a year will opt for family insurance schemes but what do those on lower incomes do if they can't find an NHS dentist?

"They won't be able to come in for regular check-ups and their teeth will rot. The whole dental health of the country is going to go to hell."

The questionnaire was sent to the 20 dental practices in Leeds North West -- including ones in Otley, Yeadon, Guiseley, Rawdon and Bramhope -- that still have NHS patients, ten of whom responded.

A member of the British Dental Association Parliamentary Panel, Mr Mulholland is sending copies of the survey to the Department of Health.

He said: "I've had lots of contact from people who've received letters from dentists saying they can no longer treat them as NHS patients. People are really concerned they'll be forced to go private and won't be able to afford it.

"One couple in Bramhope's children can no longer be NHS patients and the family option they're being offered at their practice, if they were all to join, would cost £500 a year.

"The changes in dentistry has been in my constituents' top three issues for the last six months but it's rapidly becoming number one.

"Bringing in a major reform in such an important area without the support of the dentists themselves and their professional bodies is absolutely extraordinary.

"The Government has to accept that dentists don't have confidence in this and the public is in a state of panic."

The target-driven new contract means dentists will only be paid the full 'salary' for their health service work if they hit certain goals, although for the first three years the payment is guaranteed.