HEALTH bosses say NHS dental services will be restored to a rural area of the county in the autumn.

North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) has come under increasing pressure after failing to launch a new dentistry practice for Leyburn and Hawes.

The practice was due to open last year, but a delay finding suitable premises has meant patients are still missing routine treatment.

However, at a recent meeting with county councillors, PCT director of commissioning and service, Jane Marshall, said the service would be operational in Wensleydale this autumn.

She said: "We appreciate the delay in setting up the service in Leyburn has caused some concerns for local residents.

"However, we have been working hard to secure the right accommodation for the new service to ensure it can offer patients the best possible care.

"With final agreement over the premises in place this month, work can start to make sure it is ready for patients to be seen from this autumn."

The service will be provided by Primecare Oral Health Services.

The PCT director was called before North Yorkshire County Council's health scrutiny committee last week.

At the meeting, she apologised for the delay and acknowledged that the new scheduled date of October 1 was a year later than the original launch date.

Councillor John Blackie, chairman of the committee, said: "We welcomed Jane's honest and candid approach and the North Yorkshire and York PCT response to our inquiries.

"We also acknowledged that circumstances were not entirely in the control of the PCT.

"The emphasis must now be on making sure the deadline is strictly kept - the local community places a high value on the NHS dentist service and this essential healthcare provision has been absent too long from Leyburn and Hawes."

The NHS practice covering Leyburn and Hawes went private last year. The move followed dissatisfaction with contracts offered by the Department of Health. Primecare has a database of people who have indicated to the PCT they are awaiting NHS treatment.

They will be contacted and offered a first appointment when the service becomes operational.

To register on the database, call 01845-573865.