FIFTEEN dental practices in Poole and Bournemouth are accepting new NHS patients, despite fears that the new national contract has backfired.

Government figures show that the number of adults with an NHS dentist fell by 69,000 last year.

There were also 11,000 fewer children receiving state care.

The contract, introduced in England and Wales a year ago, was intended to encourage more preventative dentistry.

It did away with the old payment system and introduced three charging bands for patients.

Dentists were contracted to work a set number of "units of dental activity" by local primary care trusts.

But as the end of the financial year approached, some had to stop work because they had used up their units and no more money was available.

As many as 2,000 dentists around the country are thought to have quit NHS work as a result of the new contract.

A recent survey by the British Dental Association found nine out of 10 NHS dentists believe the payment system is on the point of collapse.

The BDA has called for the contract to be revised, claiming the reforms were "hasty and ill judged" and had created a "horrible target-driven system".

But a spokeswoman for Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust said: "Since the introduction of the changes, there has been the capacity to see and treat more patients and this remains available.

"Currently 15 practices - 32 dentists - are accepting new NHS patients."

The trust took over responsibility for the out-of-hours service last year, for people without a dentist who are in pain and need advice.

The service can be contacted by ringing 0845 7010401 in the evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Patients who want an NHS dentist can find the nearest practice with capacity by ringing the Dorset Dental Helpline on 01202 854443.