POLISH dentists could head for Burnley as health bosses try to improve access to dental care.

The Primary Care Trust has been approached by Lancashire-based Integrated Dental Holdings about setting up six new dental surgeries in the town. They would be staffed by Polish dentists.

The Bolton company, the UK's largest owner of dental practices, says new surgeries would serve 12,000 extra patients and would cost about £300,000.

Currently there are 71 dentists in 37 practices across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. The PCT said today the Polish deal was in the early stages. Details of how many dentists could be involved have yet to be worked out.

In Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale more than 156,000 people out of a population of 248,865 are either not registered with an NHS dentist or are registered with a private practice.

Chief executive David Peat said: "This is one of a range of options we are exploring to try to increase the number of dentists within the NHS in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. We are in the early stages of negotiations but are optimistic of making improvements in difficult circumstances."

Last week it was revealed that a row between partners in a Pendle dental surgery could force the practice to close -- leaving 10,000 people without a dentist.

Health chiefs have reassured patients that the fall-out would not leave patients in the lurch after the three-dentist practice, which has not been named, told the Primary Care Trust it has "serious partnership issues" which mean it could be dissolved.

A Dental Access Plan was due to be discussed by the PCT today includes proposals for 20 new dental suites over the next three years, including four each in Nelson and Bacup, two in Colne and 10 in Burnley, as well as proposals to improve skills of dental nurses.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said: "If they are going to be practising on the NHS that's marvellous.

"The standards of medical training in Poland are as high as anywhere and Poland is part of the European Union now. If they are coming to East Lancashire and we can benefit from their skills that's great."