MORE than 1,000 new patients will be able to register with a York dentist for NHS dental services - despite national fears over access to NHS treatment.

York health bosses have welcomed news that dentists at WS Inness and Associates, in Haxby, have made 1,200 places available for new patients over the coming 12 months.

The extra spaces are a result of £50,000 of investment in two new fully-equipped surgeries at the practice, which is the base for six dentists.

The news comes as patients in Malton and Norton continue having problems finding NHS treatment after the closure of practices in the area. Ryedale MP John Greenway backed residents after they were being forced to register at surgeries in either Scarborough or York or pay private fees for treatment.

Last month the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust vowed to make strong representations to the British Dental Association in the hopes of bringing more dentists in the region to take on NHS patients.

A National Audit Commission report published today called for reform in the sector after it was found that the NHS was wasting £158million a year on unnecessary dental check-ups and treatment.

The independent watchdog on public spending said scaling and polishing, which accounts for 11 per cent of expenditure, rarely prevents or cures gum disease.

The report said most patients were told to have check-ups every six months and after 15 months people who had not attended are dropped from the NHS register.

But this system was devised when people's dental health was much worse that it is now, the report said. Most experts today felt adults with generally good teeth only needed a check up once every two to three years.

Sir Andrew Foster, controller of the Audit Commission, said: "We see money being wasted in the way that the dentistry service is run and we are opposed to that.

"Not only that we don't think that patients are getting as good a deal as they could.

"Today's system does not provide the right incentives to ensure that the remaining pockets of poor health are tackled, or provide equitable access."

The Consumers' Association director, Shelia McKechnie, said: "The Government has clearly underestimated the shortage of NHS dentistry and must act now to ensure that everyone who wants to can register with a state-funded dentist near where they live or work."

Dr Andrea Ubhi, of Clockhouse Dental, at Heworth, said there were very few practices in North Yorkshire registering NHS patients. She said her practice, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month, was actively encouraging new NHS patients to sign up.

Kay Goodwin, of Selby and York Primary Care Trust, said of the new Haxby places: "This is good news for the people of Haxby and the wider York community."

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, September 19, 2002