TWO more Hampshire dental practices are set to go private, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Thurlow Dental Care in Horton Heath and Inspired Dentistry in West End are making the move because they cannot afford to keep on NHS patients.

Although patients under 18 will still receive government-funded dental care, others will be forced to pay fees or

look elsewhere for their treatment.

The move is the latest kick in the teeth for dental patients in the region as the Daily Echo today reveals there are just ten dental surgeries across South-ampton, Winchester, East-leigh, Fareham and the New Forest accepting both adults and children as new NHS patients.

More than half the people on the books at Thurlow Dental Care surgery in Botley Road, Horton Heath are treated as NHS patients.

But after three years in the village, the surgery will now charge most of the 3,500

people who have relied on the practice as a major government-funded dentist.

Top dentist at Thurlow Dental Care Walter Reynecke says he has been forced into the decision by a new government contract, which has funding for individual NHS treatments replaced by an average lump sum based on the surgery's performances.

"The new contract that has been offered will only cover about 25 per cent of the overheads, and it would be suicidal for us to carry on," he said.

Dr Reynecke opened the Thurlow Dental Care practice three years ago.

"When I opened the centre it was to offer people excellent treatment with the latest hi-tech equipment, and that has always been our main concern," he said.

"We understand there is a need for NHS dentists and we will continue to serve those patients under 18, and also those over 65, on the NHS as we feel strongly about serving the people who have been paying their National Insurance all their lives," he added.

Inspired Dentistry in Cerne Close, West End, which has 800 NHS patients on its books, has also confirmed it is in the process of converting to a private practice.

Dentist Rebecca Hartog said: "I have decided to convert to Denplan in order to be able to maintain the high quality dental service that my patients expect and deserve. Working under the NHS, I am restricted in terms of the materials and laboratories I use and with regard to how much time I am able to spend with patients."

Eastleigh Council leader Councillor Keith House des-cribed it as another "death blow" for NHS dentistry.

He said: "The borough council is doing everything it can to attract NHS dentists and recently gave backing and planning approval for a new NHS surgery in West End."

There are just two dental surgeries in the area taking on new NHS patients. They are Apex Dental Care in Leigh Road, Eastleigh and the

Mansourian M M surgery in Bournemouth Road, Chand-ler's Ford.

As the number of NHS places may frequently change, patients are advised to check with the Dental Helpline before registering with a practice. Phone 023 8033 8336.