DENTISTS are accepting new patients, health chiefs reassured patients this week.

Ten of Halton’s 14 surgeries are taking on new clients and publish vacancies every fortnight.

This was one of the myths dispelled at a ‘Fact or Fiction’ information event hosted at Stobart Stadium on Friday by health watchdog, Halton Link.

Dave Wilson, Halton Link’s communication and information officer, said: “We’ve had a lot of people telling us they can’t get dentists so we thought it would be a good idea to put the record straight.

“A list is produced every two weeks of dentists who will accept new NHS patients.

“Details will be available on our website.”

Halton MP Derek Twigg and Runcorn MP Mike Hall attended the event with local councillors.

Guest speaker Dr Keith Milsom, Halton’s consultant in dental public health, said 66 per cent of dental practices in Widnes and Runcorn are accepting new NHS patients.

NHS Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust is investing in the equivalent of 12 new dentists by 2011.

He said five-year-olds in Halton had the worst dental health in the UK.

Children in the Kingsway and Windmill Hill areas had the most decayed, missing or filled teeth.

Free toothbrushes are being given to every child aged three to 11 and fluoride varnish is being painted onto their teeth of all pupils up to 16.

Both initiatives, carried out three times a year, he said, are already proving successful.

Halton Link’s website is www.haltonlink.org.uk