More than 26,000 people in Hockley, Hawkwell and Ashingdon will have no new NHS dentist for the forseeable future, health chiefs said today.
A £350,000 grant to boost the number of people visiting a dentist will be used to create new places at the 19 existing practices in Rochford and Castle Point.
Just five of those practices are taking on new clients and they are referred to a dentist in Benfleet, even though they live in parts of Rochford.
Richard Vingoe, Hockley Parish Council vice-chairman, said: "There are no dentists in Hockley providing an NHS service.
"This new money is going for recruitment and retention. It will provide a tiny amount of NHS registration locally."
Liz McGranahan, director of primary care and partnerships at Castle Point and Rochford Primary Care Trust, said the money could not be used to help new dentists open up.
Published Tuesday June 29, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article