Concern was expressed by Tenby Town Council this week over the lack of NHS dentist provision in the town.

Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting, Clr. Miss Lis James felt that the NHS should be pressed to locate an NHS dentist in the town as soon as possible.

"You may not be aware that NHS dentist Mr. Blackwell has retired and the other dentist in Warren Street is not taking on any more NHS," she explained.

"The nearest dentists taking on NHS patients are in Milford and Carmarthen.

"Firstly I am disappointed that the NHS felt it unnecessary to inform his patients that Mr. Blackwell was not practising anymore, and secondly I think we should write to our MP, AM and Pembrokeshire County Council to enlist their aid in pressing for an NHS dentist to be resited in the town as soon as possible," she continued.

"A lot of old people have no way of getting to Milford and Carmarthen and while I know there is a school dentist for the children, it's not easy to get an appointment.

"We need to do something about this situation fast."

Clr. Mickey Folland agreed and suggested that the council also write to the Community Health Council and the Local Health Group.

Speaking to the Observer on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Dyfed-Powys Health Authority said that it regretted that Mr. Blackwell was retiring from his dental practice in Tenby.

"The Health Authority recognises the current national issue of recruitment of dentists to rural areas and is proactively working with the Welsh Assembly government to attract dentists into the area," the spokesperson said. "Unfortunately, at present, the nearest practice accepting NHS patients is in Carmarthen, where a new practice opened on January 6.

"The majority of dental practices in Pembrokeshire provide services under the NHS, as well as private services. In addition to registration in Carmarthen, emergency services are available in the Winch Lane Dental Surgery, Haverfordwest, on Saturday mornings, and there are also dental access sessions available mid-week in Milford Haven."

The spokesperson added that details of accessing these services and advice on registration can be obtained from NHS Direct on 08454647.