AN attempt to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists in the New Forest has become a victim of its own success.

One of the practices involved in the scheme has been forced to stop taking new NHS patients after it was swamped by demand.

New Forest Primary Care Trust says the surgery is unlikely to accept any more clients until the autumn.

Residents must try to obtain a place at another practice in the district or wait for the surgery to reopen its list.

The scheme was launched in January, when three practices in Hythe, Totton and New Milton agreed to take 24,000 NHS patients by the middle of 2008.

A trust spokesman said 11,872 people had signed up by the end of last month.

He added: "The trust's intention has always been that places are released in batches each month so that the process is kept as smooth as possible and people don't have to wait too long for their initial assessments.

Complex treatments "However, some patients have required complex dental treatment."

The spokesman said the Totton practice had decided to suspend its intake of new patients until it had cleared the backlog of appointments and treatments for those already waiting.

"People can obtain a space with the Hythe or New Milton practices or wait for the Totton practice list to reopen," he said.

As reported in the Daily Echo, none of the surgeries is being named in a bid to prevent them being besieged by would-be patients.

People wishing to join the practices are being asked to ring a special helpline staffed from 8.30am to 4.45pm, Monday to Friday.

Callers are asked for their contact details and the name of their GP.

The details are sent to the relevant dental practice, which makes an appointment for an initial examination.

The helpline number is 023 8090 2537.