THE worrying shortage of NHS dentists was highlighted yesterday after one woman revealed how she and her husband would have to travel hundreds of miles to have their teeth checked.

Glynis Ludkin, who recently moved to the village of Hackness, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, is being forced to make the 500-mile round trip because she has not been able to register with an NHS dentist in the resort. She and her husband will return to the practice near their former home in Norfolk, so that he can have two fillings.

The Ludkins' case is not uncommon, with many residents in the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale areas having to travel for miles to find an NHS dentist.

A spokeswoman for the area's Primary Care Trust (PCT) said the problem was a shortage of young dentists willing to choose Scarborough over cities such as Leeds, Manchester and London.

Earlier this week, the British Dental Association said newly-qualified dentists needed the money from private practice to pay off their student loans.

"A practice can choose whether it takes patients on the NHS, how many it takes and where these people come from," said Derek Bartrop of the PCT.

"Dentists decide to work independently because they can set their own charges and substantially increase their income."

The PCT's bid for additional funding for NHS dentistry across North Yorkshire has been successful, and Mr Bartrop said: "Dentists are likely to be placed in areas such as Scarborough where people are having greater difficulties."