HEALTH chiefs say it could take up to three months to employ a new dentist, despite the fact that there are no practices offering NHS treatment to new patients in Chester-le-Street or Durham.

It is part of an ongoing national crisis in the provision of NHS dentistry.

Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust is looking for one full-time dentist but has confirmed the recruitment process could take up to three months.

The successful candidate will split their time between the town and the city.

The trust's director of public health Tricia Cresswell said: "There is a lack of access for new patients. It is a serious problem.

"The PCT has no power to make dentists take on patients because dentists are not tied to the PCT like GPs are and many are choosing to work privately.

"As well as taking on a salaried dentist we are also working with current practitioners to make it more attractive for them to work in the NHS."

Mrs Cresswell said the PCT was hoping to secure funding for a second salaried dentist.

Earlier this year more than 3,000 people queued to be registered at a newly-opened practice in Scarborough because of the lack of NHS practices.

Two weeks ago a £2m scheme was unveiled to treat more than 11,000 patients in North Yorkshire over the next four years.

Newly-qualified dentists could be offered contracts to stay in the area in return for assistance in setting up premises and getting equipment.

Durham MP Gerry Steinberg said most people in the area were already registered with an NHS dentist.

He said: "It is not affecting those people already registered but it is a problem for those who are not.

"Everybody is entitled to NHS dentistry but there is not enough dentists and under their contracts they can make more money by doing private work."