I WAS disturbed to read your report (LET, December 2) that if people don't attend the dentist within 15 months, they will be struck off the NHS dentist.

This government ruling makes no allowance for the fact that many people suffer great anxiety and fear about going to the dentist. Indeed, some have a severe phobia. Others may be struggling with ill-health or family trouble and literally cannot cope with anything else.

There is a dental professor who has stated on many occasions that adults should only attend for dental check-ups every two years because if they go every six months they risk being 'over treated' and may receive unnecessary treatments.

I think it is very wrong to treat adults like naughty children and try to force when they go to the dentist, without considering the whole person, their circumstances and freedom of choice.

B WALLIS, Willow Grove, Ruislip, Middlesex.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.