HUNDREDS of Winchester people are at risk of damaging their teeth as the city finds itself in the grip of a dental crisis.

Fears are growing that dentists will opt out of providing NHS care in favour of private insurance and more people will be unable to afford to have their teeth looked after.

The Daily Echo has learned that only one surgery in the city is taking on new patients and it may stop. Check-up appointments aren't available there for up to six months.

One man struggling to find care for his family is Tony Nelson, 38, of Tees Farm Road, Colden Common.

He said: "It's not even me who will suffer, it's my children, and I feel they're being victimised because I can't afford to pay for private care. Whatever happened to the NHS?"

Winchester MP Mark Oaten said: "The way things are going there will be no NHS dentists left in the region within a couple of years."

For the full story see today's Spotlight feature under the 'More News' section.