HUDDERSFIELD patients are still struggling to find dentists willing to take on new NHS patients.

Only one in five surgeries in the town will take first-timers who want treatment - but not at expensive, private prices.

And none in the villages south of Huddersfield told the Examiner they would take NHS patients.

Our research found only six of the 37 dental practices in Huddersfield and surrounding villages would accept new NHS patients.

Official figures show that of the 69 individual dentists working in the Huddersfield Central Primary Care Trust area, 13 were accepting new NHS patients.

And in the South Huddersfield area, which covers the Colne, Holme and Dearne valleys, five out 28 dentists are reputedly happy to treat NHS newcomers.

But when the Examiner made inquiries, not one dental practice in the South area was willing to go on record as accepting non-private patients.

The situation has angered people new to the area and long-time residents whose dentists have decided to opt out of the NHS and go private.

An Ainley Top couple in their 30s, who have been paying £50 a year for a twice yearly check-up, scale and polish on the NHS, have found themselves faced with a £30 monthly bill after their Lindley dentist recently decided to "become independent of the NHS".

Their joint annual bill totals £360, or a minimum of £320 for "pay as you go" treatment.

"We are going to try to find an NHS dentist," said the woman, who did not want to be named.

"If it was a small jump in price we may have gone along with it. But to go from £50 a year to £320 minimum is too much.

"I also have to pay £16 a month for contact lenses and we have private medical insurance. It makes you wonder what you pay your National Insurance for."

Dentists have a free rein to operate as independent businesses.

But a new contract between them and the Government is to be launched next year. This will be the biggest change to dental care since 1948, when the NHS was formed.

Mrs Jini de Cruz, consultant in dental public health (Huddersfield and Calderdale), said: "From October next year, for the first time, primary care trusts can contract with general dental practitioners .

"Trusts will be responsible for dental provision and we are working closely to develop relationships with practitioners .

"The Government, of course, wants to increase access to NHS dentistry for all."

Mrs de Cruz added: "Our local population is still well served for NHS dentists, compared with other areas.

"The vast majority of local dentists are still working within the NHS.

"However, there are occasions when dentists may not be accepting new patients during very busy periods.

"Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield trusts are working closely with colleagues in dental practice to identify the scope for additional capacity to increase access to NHS dentistry."

The root of the problem in NHS dentistry goes back more than 10 years, when two dental schools were closed, reducing the number of dentists being trained.

Things were made worse by the Government's imposition of a contract on dentists, followed by a 15% cut in fees two years later.

Dentists retaliated by refusing to accept new NHS patients and only accepting private patients.

Huddersfield dentists who told the Examiner they were accepting new NHS patients were:

306 Bradford Road, Fartown, 01484 545045.

The Wormalds Dental Centre, King Street, 432855.

Park View Dental Practice, Trinity Street, 01484 423701.

Croydon House (with limitations) Queensgate Huddersfield 01484 530539.

Dental Surgery, Birkby Hall Road, Birkby, 01484 421631.

Dental Surgery, Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Moor, 01484 654438.

The situation can change daily. Phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for the definitive list.