RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak has written to NHS dentistry chiefs urging them to plug a gap in NHS provision in Catterick Garrison and Richmond.
My Dentist has announced it is to close its branches in the town and the Garrison meaning that his constituents wishing to register with a NHS dentist would have to travel to Darlington or Teesside to do so.
Mr Sunak said he had asked NHS England to act swiftly to make more NHS places available.
"I made representations to NHS England about this issue at end of last year and was told a review of NHS dentistry was taking place across Yorkshire which would aim to improve the service in areas like Catterick Garrison which is a growing community.
"In my letter sent this week I have urged them to allocate the NHS money spent through My Dentist to other dentists in the Richmond and Catterick area. This cannot wait for a county-wide review to run its course."
Mr Sunak said he understood there were dentists in the area with the physical capacity to treat more NHS patients once a suitable funding arrangement was in place.