New NHS dentist - charging £40 fee

The surge came after Parsons Dental Care announced that it was offering 200 NHS places, which became available following the appointment of new dentist Donna Judge at the Worcester Road practice.

People desperate to register waited outside from 8.30am on Monday. An hour later, the queue was 40 deep.

One of those was Caroline Pickering, who was queuing with her two-year-old son Oscar.

She was one of 5,000 patients at Buckingham House told in October to join a private plan or go elsewhere.

"I've got three children and it does worry me that we don't currently have an NHS dentist," she said.

"Parsons is very local to us, so it would be very useful if we could get in."

Joan Harbourne had been queuing for about an hour-and-a-half on behalf of her daughter and son-in-law, who were at work.

She said the lack of NHS dental care in Malvern was unacceptable.

"They're always saying we must get our teeth looked at, but you can't get to see a dentist to do that.

"I don't think it's acceptable - we all pay our National Insurance and should have access to dental care."

But she said she was hopeful that she would get on the register at Parsons.

"It's just really nice that there's somebody prepared to take people on," she added.

However, the move was branded "opportunistic" by South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

The PCT said that, while the Parsons Dental Care practice had not contravened any rules or regulations, it was unhappy that it was charging an initial consultation fee of £39.45 before considering taking on new NHS patients.

Alan McMichael, consultant in dental public health, said: "We are upset that this Malvern practice is offering NHS dental care only after a fee of nearly £40 and no guarantee of registration at the practice afterwards.

"Previously, the practice was told by the PCT that such action was deplored but they proceeded regardless and we find it quite unacceptable."

No one at Parsons was available to comment.