THOUSANDS of extra places are to be created at dental surgeries in a part of the region in the wake of a town's treatment crisis.

A £2m scheme has been unveiled to treat 11,000 more patients in North Yorkshire over the next four years.

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.

The situation revealed a national crisis in NHS dentist provision.

Now, Michael Whitworth, chief executive of Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust, has pledged the new places will be created, mainly in Scarborough.

The places are as a result of extra funding being provided by the Strategic Health Authority.

Newly-qualified dentists could be offered contracts to stay in the area in return for help in getting premises and equipment, while existing dentists will be encouraged to take on new NHS patients.

There could also be more flexibility so patients only visit a dentist to get treatment, not simply to prevent themselves being struck off for poor attendance.

Older dentists may be offered incentives to work beyond retirement age and there will be more planning to deal with their patients when they do leave.

The long-term aim is to ensure six out of ten of the population has access to a local NHS dentist.