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An NHS director has said there are "real challenges" in the provision of NHS dentists.

The number of practices going private in County Durham and Darlington has increased, a council meeting heard.

At a health and wellbeing scrutiny meeting, councillor Ken Robson, who said his dentist had gone private, asked: "Are we doing anything... as far as NHS dentistry is concerned?"

Sarah Burns from NHS North East and North Cumbria said: "We recognise there are real, significant challenges. Reform is really needed for dental services."

Ms Burns said the NHS was doing "a range of things" to bring more dentists to the region and help commission services.

"But it is absolutely recognised that it’s an ongoing challenge and a pressure," she added.

'Children hardest hit'

People throughout the region have gone years without a dental appointment due to a significant backlog of appointments, huge waiting lists and not enough practices, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Reports of people fitting fillings and extracting their teeth without anaesthetic or professional training have become commonplace.

Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association, said: "Children in our poorest communities – who are also the least likely to see a dentist – remain the hardest hit."

The Labour government is reportedly considering reforming the NHS dental contract after years of problems.

During the general election campaign, the party pledged to create 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments a year and recruit new dentists in underserved areas.

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