A NORTH Yorkshire NHS dental surgery is planning to go private.

Other surgeries in the county are expected to follow the lead set by Leyburn Dental Practice, in Wensleydale.

If the practice opts out of NHS treatment, patients will have the choice to become a private customer or find another NHS dentist.

Critics say this could mean a half-day round trip for residents who rely on public transport.

Frank Ryecroft, senior partner at the Leyburn practice, said: "We will probably be stopping it (the NHS service). But out of courtesy to our customers, we are drafting a letter as there are all sorts of rumours going round and we want to clarify the position."

Wensleydale district councillor Yvonne Peacock said: "My concern is that people living in this rural area will have a long way to travel to find an NHS dentist.

"Those without a car will be forced to rely on the bus service."

The move follows dissatisfaction among dentists with new contracts being offered by the Department of Health.

Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) says that several practices may stop treating NHS patients.

However, health chiefs remain confident all residents will continue to have access to NHS dental treatment.

Maddy Ruff, director of primary care at the PCT, said: "We are fortunate that a high proportion of dental practices in Hambleton and Richmondshire provide NHS dentistry, unlike many other parts of the country.

"It is disappointing that one of our practices has decided not to continue to provide NHS services after April 2006, but of course we respect their decision as an independent contractor.

"We have extremely good relationships with all our dental practices and are talking to them about how we can support them under the new contract.

"We believe most of them will continue to provide all or some NHS services under the new contract, such as services to children or exempt patients.

"However, we can assure members of the public that we have plans to ensure continuity of NHS services as locally as possible should some dentists decide to reduce their NHS commitment."

The PCT says it will know how many dentists are stopping provision of NHS treatment by the end of February.