MY niece has recently been suffering with a dental problem which caused her severe pain for about two weeks.

She phoned numerous dental surgeries, health clinics and emergency health clinics and eventually got through to one emergency clinic in Monkgate. She was told she should ring the following morning between 8.30am and 9am to get an appointment - on a first come first served basis.

The number was permanently engaged for half an hour. She must have spent £9 on her mobile ringing around different surgeries only to be told the same story. Either they had too many patients already, or they weren't taking any new patients at the moment.

Finally, she went to the local hospital and a doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics, but said she would have to find a dentist. Easier said than done.

Another dental surgery assistant told her they weren't taking anyone on, but when she called again to inquire how much it would cost if she went in as a private patient she was told £56 first then treatment costs on top. If she could pay she would be seen that afternoon.

She cannot afford to pay that amount of money. She is bringing up two children on a low income.

It is amazing that if you can pay, you can quite easily be "fitted in."

There must be a dental surgery somewhere in York that will take NHS patients. She can't travel miles, and she is still wondering what to do next.

David Bell,

Hull Road, York.

Updated: 09:57 Thursday, March 10, 2005