Plans have been put forward for consultation to increase dental services throughout the whole of Leeds with several key areas benefiting from an enhanced service.

It is expected that new patients in Pudsey, Wortley and Farnley will be able to sign on from September 2009.

Coun Richard Lewis (Lab, Pudsey) said: "The current situation has put a huge amount of pressure on existing NHS dentists. The problem of dental waiting lists has been ongoing for many years with hundreds of people unable to access dental care simply because dental practices have opted out of NHS-led services and have gone private instead.

"I am glad that the NHS is prioritising dental care for local people and encouraging dentists to establish practices in areas where it is most needed.

"Hopefully those people of Pudsey with problem teeth will soon have a solution right on their doorsteps and I would urge anyone currently without dental care to sign up for the new service in September."