Hampshire Primary Care Trust responded to fears over the new dentists' contracts with the following statement: "The criteria for NHS orthodontic treatment have been drawn nationally to ensure that children whose oral health may be affected by their orthodontic condition will receive appropriate NHS treatment. Those children whose clinical need does not meet the set criteria are very unlikely to experience future problems caused by their current oral condition. There are 451 dentists offering NHS treatment in the Hampshire PCT area and only two do not treat children. This gives us confidence that children requiring clinical dental services can access them.

"Primary Care Trusts became responsible for the contracts of NHS orthodontists from April this year and since then at least 765 children have either been accepted or already started receiving orthodontic treatment with orthodontists in contract with Hampshire PCT. The PCT also contracts with hospital trusts for advice and treatment of the most serious cases.

Negotiated "Hampshire PCT keeps in contact with dentists in the area and we have no reason to believe the majority of them are unhappy with their contracts. All contracts are negotiated and agreed in accordance with the regulations made by Parlia-ment and are subject to annual reviews.

The PCT aims to resolve any issues regarding the contracts during regular contact with practices. From the seven former PCTs that now form Hampshire PCT, 78 dentists and one orthodontist did not accept the new contracts in April. Only six dentists have left since then for a variety of reasons including retirement and relocation.

We have had just one formal complaint and a number of telephone inquiries about access to orthodontic treatment throughout the PCT, most of which have since been resolved satisfactorily."