Dentists are providing a patchy NHS service in West Sussex.

The county council's health scrutiny select committee set up a task force to find out what services were available and where.

Its findings support The Argus's own investigation last month which found the number of NHS dentists across Sussex had reached crisis point with more than half of practices closing their books to new patients.

The task force report said some parts of the county were more poorly served than others although there were more practices accepting NHS patients than expected.

The group wants more improvements in access to NHS dentists in all areas but accepted this could be difficult because dentists are independent practitioners and the financial rewards of private practice are usually more than NHS salaries.

Within the Western Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) area alone there were only three practices willing to accept new NHS patients and another five willing to accept children only under the NHS.

Many patients have to travel out of their immediate area for NHS treatment.

Others feel they have no choice but to pay because their dentist has gone private.

The report praised work by the West Sussex Oral Health Service, which is operated by Mid Sussex PCT on behalf of all PCTs in the county.

It also backed Brighton and Sussex Medical School's bid to establish a dental school in Brighton and urged the committee to write to the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority in support.

The oral health service takes more than 1,500 calls every six months from people looking for an NHS dentist. There are about 400 dentists in West Sussex providing differing levels of NHS treatment.

Four new NHS practices were opened in the county in 2004/05.

West Sussex county councillor Margaret Collins, who chaired the task force, said: "There is a lot of work to be done. A matter of concern is for those people living in rural areas who might have to travel to find a dentist.

"The oral health service helpline has up-to-date details of NHS dentists who are taking on new patients."

For details about NHS dentists in West Sussex call 01444 475700.