DENTAL care is reaching crisis point as more dentists stop providing NHS treatment, say local Liberal Democrats.

Of the 17 dentists in Prestwich, Whitefield and Radcliffe, only four will now accept new NHS adult patients - none of them in Prestwich - and nine will take children.

Councillor Vic DAlbert, who will fight the Bury South seat at the next General Election, wants NHS dentists at local health centres.

"Every patient deserves to be able to register with a local NHS dentist and not have to travel miles in search of a decent service," he said.

He said the Lib Dems would scrap check-up charges and the "drill and fill" payment system.