Half the district's population is not registered with an NHS dentist, and fewer people are registered now than five years ago, new figures have revealed.

Despite an increase in the number of dentists serving the district, fewer patients are getting NHS dental care.

The number of patients registered with an NHS dentist in Bradford has fallen by more than 1,500 in 12 months - against the national trend.

Information Centre for Health and Social Care statistics show that in March this year, 241,721 adults and children were registered in the areas covered by Airedale PCT, Bradford City Teaching PCT, Bradford South and West PCT and North Bradford PCT.

This means only half the district's population have an NHS dentist.

In 2005 the combined total stood at 243,292, and in 1997 267,657 patients in the district were registered. In some areas of the city the number of NHS dental patients has increased. Bradford South and West PCT saw an increase from 72,095 in 2005 to 74,575 in 2006 and North Bradford recorded a hike from 45,406 to 46,799.

But Airedale recorded a decline, from 52,603 to 51,399, and in Bradford City Teaching PCT's area patient numbers fell by 5.8 per cent from 73,188 to 68,948.

The Bradford picture contrasts the national trend where the number of patients rose from 24.1 million to 24.7 million. However, the number of NHS dentists has increased in the past 12 months in three of Bradford's four PCTs.

Airedale saw an increase of six to 55, Bradford South and West an increase of four to 46 and North Bradford seven extra recruits bringing the total to 35.

Bradford City Teaching PCT lost four NHS dentists and now has only 72.

A spokesman for Bradford and Airedale PCTs said: "Airedale PCT is in the process of reinvesting money gained from NHS dentists becoming private since the introduction of new contracts. We hope to provide an extra 2,400 places in Airedale over the next year.

"Improving access to dentistry is also a key priority for Bradford City Teaching PCT. The Trust recently submitted a bid for growth money. This was successful and the PCT is now in the process of commissioning additional capacity."

The crisis has been exacerbated by new contracts introduced this April, as part of the Government's bid to encourage more dentists to carry out NHS treatments. Until the end of March dentists could change the number of NHS hours they worked when they wanted, so an increase in the number of dentists did not necessarily mean more NHS patients. Under the new contracts, PCTs pay dentists a fixed sum for a set level of dental activity.

According to Mark Edwards, Manningham dentist and spokesman for Bradford's Local Dental Committee, none of Bradford's 69 NHS practices are happy with their new contract.

Whether the Government's scheme was working was "anyone's guess", he said. He added that the figures were skewed because when they were recorded, dentists were anticipating the new contracts. He said: "The full details weren't agreed until six weeks before the contracts were sent, so nobody took on new patients."

e-mail: newsdesk@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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Contrast of two cousins

Four-year-old Brandon Callaway says his teeth hurt all the time.

But attempts to get him a dental appointment near home in Kelton Way, Holme Wood, Bradford, have failed.

Mum Tracy Broadbent said: "We were told at the Holme Wood Dental Clinic they weren't taking anyone on."

Brandon's cousin Callum Broadbent, also four, has a dentist, but only because he was registered at a local practice because he needed emergency treatment after a fall.

Bradford and Airedale PCTs admit they cannot guarantee NHS places for children. It depends on availability, they say.

A spokeswoman said: "The PCTs are maintaining a list of people who want to have access to a dentist and they are offered places as and when they become available, for example in July around 1,000 people on the list were offered places at a local practice which had expanded to allow new NHS places.

"Bradford Personal Dental Service, run by Bradford City Teaching PCT, also provides NHS dentistry for priority groups including children.

"There are dentists across the Bradford district who are registering new NHS patients, but this situation changes daily.

"There have been places available within a two-mile radius of Holme Wood within the six months."

  • Anyone wanting a routine appointment should initially look on the www.bradford.nhs.uk website.
People not registered with a dentist but who have an urgent dental problem can make an appointment via NHS Direct on 0845 1203200.