HEALTH chiefs say they are working hard to maintain NHS dental cover after it emerged another North Yorkshire practice is to go private.

Bedale Dental Practice will stop treating adults on the NHS from April 1.

The announcement comes two weeks after Leyburn Dental Practice, which has a surgery in Hawes, admitted it planned to withdraw NHS care.

The two practices care for 4,000 patients. These patients are now faced with the choice of going private or finding an NHS dentist elsewhere.

The practices will continue providing NHS treatment to children.

Last night, Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) moved to reassure patients that access to an NHS dentist will be maintained.

A spokesman said: "All other dental practices in the locality will continue to provide at least a similar level of NHS service and some have agreed to significantly expand NHS services.

"Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT is now making arrangements to provide new NHS dental care in Leyburn, Hawes and Bedale.

"This process is not achievable overnight. However, the PCT's salaried dental service will be providing a service in Leyburn, Hawes and Bedale from April for patients who need urgent dental treatment."

He said that out-of-hours emergency dental services will be maintained and patients can access this by ringing (01904) 666151.

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

In a letter sent to patients this week outlining its decision, Leyburn Dental Practice said the contract meant it would be increasingly difficult to provide a high level of care.

Health Minister Rosie Winterton said yesterday: "Under the new contract, dentists will have a guaranteed income for three years, with average earnings around £80,000, plus £80,000 on top of that to put towards their practice expenses, for 5 per cent less work."

Acting chief dental officer for England, Barry Cockcroft added: "The new contract will offer dentists and patients a better deal.

"These reforms are building on our success in recruiting more dentists to the NHS.

"Since April 2004, the NHS has recruited the equivalent of more than 1,400 whole time dentists, contributing to a net increase of 1,100 dentists since September 2004."

Patients wanting to find a new NHS dentist are asked to call the PCT on 0800 0282462.