FEARS over the future of the 'fast disappearing' NHS dental service in Burnley were expressed directly to Prime Minister Tony Blair by Burnley MP Peter Pike.

Mr Pike told of his concern at a round table meeting of a dozen MPs with the Prime Minister.

The local MP was told action was being taken to address the local situation and more would be taken soon.

Fears over the future of NHS dentistry in the area follow the recent announcement that another local dentist has pulled out of the NHS scheme, providing only for private patients.

Mr Pike expressed his concern and that of East Lancashire Health Authority's dental health consultant Dr JG Whittle, in a letter to health minister Lord Hunt. In his reply, he says East Lancashire has been asked to bid for extra cash help for better dentistry provision.

In addition the Department of Health was preparing a strategy for dentistry in England which would create a framework to ensure that anyone who wanted NHS dentistry could get it.

Lord Hunt said: "The strategy will strengthen the existing general dental service, build in the improvements to accessibility and take a variety of other steps towards a better deal for patients." Mr Pike said: "The Government is trying to reverse the rapid downward spiral started by the Tory Government.

"We all await the announcement of the new strategy."

At the meeting with Mr Blair, Mr Pike also raised the issue of the problems caused by the growing number of empty terraced homes in the town.

He said: "We all got the chance to put a few points to the Prime Minister."

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