ON Tuesday, this column felt it necessary to gently point out to a large organisation that an efficient publicity machine could often prevent problems before they occurred. The issue concerned the chaos caused by roadworks in the centre of Worcester.

Two days later, we learn that only an astonishing seven per cent of people are aware that their local primary care trust can help them find an NHS dentist - and just a quarter of the population has heard of NHS Direct, a body that can also assist those seeking dental treatment.

The figures emerged in a Worcestershire survey which also established that more than half of a group of people questioned had been unable to locate an NHS dentist. Apparently, a shortage of dentists nationwide may have led people to conclude that there must also be a problem in Worcestershire.

This newspaper is astounded by these revelations. The care crisis that developed when the government of the day sat back and allowed the mass exodus of dentists from the NHS has never been far from the nation's headlines. Britain was woefully ill-prepared for this haemorrhaging of resources and the effects are still being felt.

The reason why so few are aware of options is not because the rest are stupid or can't be bothered to make provision. What's at fault here are juggernauts of organisations that may be hot on form-filling but hopelessly inadequate when it comes to communication. The trusts must get their act together and talk to those they are supposed to serve.