PARENTS in Hampshire may be left with bills of thousands of pounds for children's dental work that was previously provided free on the NHS, the Daily Echo can reveal.

New dentists' contracts introduced in April are forcing practices to reduce the number of NHS patients they can treat.

Dentists have admitted they can only afford to treat a fraction of their total number of patients before available money runs out.

The parents of friends like Ria Williams and Kelly Rankin above, could now face bills of thousands of pounds because of the move.

The British Orthodontic Society claims the new regulations will reduce the number of children treated on the NHS by up to 20 per cent.

But health bosses say the move will target orthodontic care at those who need it most. One in three children will need tooth care.

Full story on in 'Spotlight' news in today's daily Echo