THOUSANDS of patients in York must find a new dentist after two practices announced they were going private.

Amid accusations of government underfunding, experts today warned the York dental crisis was becoming as serious as that in Scarborough, where hundreds of patients queued for hours to join an NHS dental practice.

The prediction came after Flynn's Dental Practice, in York Road, Acomb, wrote to its 5,000 patients telling them it was converting to a private surgery.

The practice will only be able to keep 3,000 of its patients, leaving the remainder without a dentist.

The Wigginton Dental Practice, Mill Lane, Wigginton, is also to send letters to its 4,000 patients telling them it will convert to a Denplan practice.

Patients will be given the option to sign up to insurance policy Denplan, which means they will make monthly payments, rather than paying per check-up.

Those that do not sign up face finding a new dentist. Practice owner Keith Lofthouse said longer consultations meant he would not be able retain 30 per cent of his patients - 1,200 people.

John Renshaw, chairman of the British Dental Association, said more and more dentists were moving towards private treatment, with the Department of Health failing to realise how serious the problem had become.

He said: "There aren't enough dentists. Since the 1970s, there has been less and less funding from the Government. More and more dentists are going private, but the number of NHS patients doesn't stop."

The problem has also prompted York MP Hugh Bayley to ask for plans from the PCT to provide a full dental service in York.

Pauline Wallis, 62, currently on the Wigginton Dental Practice's books, said she had written to the Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh in protest at the Denplan move.

She said she paid £14 for a six-monthly check-up, but under the new scheme would have to pay £17.95 a month.

She said: "It annoys me. Throughout my life I have never had to have an awful lot of dental treatment done."

Denplan is an insurance policy which, for a monthly fee, covers patients' dental treatment.

The fee - £9.95 to £229.95 a month - is determined by the individual's oral health and future care needs.

Next April, contracting for NHS dentistry in England is due to devolve from the Department of Health to PCTs.

Mr Lofthouse said he had decided to convert to Denplan because it was unclear what the new proposals would mean.

He said the practice was underfunded and was trying to operate a service that will make things better for those who stay.

Flynn's Dental Practice declined to comment to the Evening Press.

Practice representatives at Wigginton are due to meet Selby and York PCT and Miss McIntosh later this month, to discuss the Denplan move.

A PCT spokesman said: "Selby and York PCT is committed to the provision of NHS dentistry and is working with dental practitioners to ensure the continued development of NHS dentistry within our area."

Miss McIntosh said: "There's a shortage of dentists and the Government has failed to address it. We are facing a crisis."

York MP Hugh Bayley said: "This is a very serious problem. Patients need a quick solution."

Any person within the Selby and York Primary Care Trust area who is not registered with a dentist and who requires urgent treatment can use the North Yorkshire Dental Care Service. An appointment can be offered within 24 hours. Phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Updated: 10:32 Tuesday, May 11, 2004