MANY Worcestershire residents are going without dental care because they wrongly believe there are no NHS vacancies within the county.

According to a survey by Worcestershire Citizens Advice Social Policy Cluster Group, more than half (57 per cent) of the 426 people questioned had been unable to find an NHS dentist in the area.

This is despite the fact there are many that are still offering places on their lists.

Matthew Rees, Worces-ter CAB social policy co-ordinator, said he believed that the shortage of NHS dentists nationwide may have led people to conclude that there must also be a shortage in Worcestershire as well.

"The survey referred to the availability of places in NHS dentists and whether people had been able to locate an NHS dentist for themselves," he said.

"For those who had not, we asked if they were aware that the NHS Dentist Service or the primary care trust could locate an NHS dentist with vacancies for them, as we have found both of these systems to work very well providing accurate service.

"Only seven per cent were aware that the PCT could help, while only 25 per cent were aware of NHS Direct.

"We want to increase awareness of these services," Mr Rees said.

Alan McMichael, consultant in dental public health at South Worces-tershire Primary Care Trust, said there is a mechanism in place for letting people know which is their nearest NHS dentist with vacancies and people can call 01905 760111. NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 4647.