NINE out of 10 Huntingdonshire dentists believe new NHS contracts will mean dental health getting worse, according to a poll conducted by Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly. None of the 18 practices responding to the survey thought it would improve – the res

NINE out of 10 Huntingdonshire dentists believe new NHS contracts will mean dental health getting worse, according to a poll conducted by Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly.

None of the 18 practices responding to the survey thought it would improve - the rest said it was too soon to tell.

Sixteen per cent said the contracts improved access to dentistry, with the same proportion agreeing with Government claims that it offered a simpler and fairer pricing system.

Four out of five of the dentists responding expected the contracts to lead to their doing more private work, though 39 per cent were accepting new NHS patients.

Mr Djanogly said: "I have been receiving an increasing number of complaints from constituents unable to access an NHS dentist, so I thought I would contact local dentists to see what they think.

"The results are of significant concern, not least that most dentists seem very doubtful for the future of NHS provision.

"Local dentists are clearly unhappy with the new contract as all those who replied would either like to see it reviewed or replaced in a year's time.