The comments came after the AM raised his concerns with the First Minister during weekly Assembly questions. He said there were constituents living in Newtown and Welshpool who had to travel to Machynlleth to try and register with an NHS dentist and had no guarantee of doing so.
Commenting, Mr George said:
“I do have real concerns regarding the lack of access to NHS dentists in Montgomeryshire.
“Having spoken recently to local dentists, they have told me their current lists are full and there is no spare capacity to take on more patients.
“I have one constituent in Newtown who has only two treatment options available to her to either register in Machynlleth or in Llanfair Caereinion.
“That is a 50 mile round trip in either direction and as the person doesn’t drive, that is a challenging journey just to maintain good oral health; that’s just not good enough.
“When the Welsh Government introduced the current dental contact in 2006, the former First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, told the National Assembly that this would ensure that anyone who required access to NHS dentist would get it; yet six years on, this simple hasn’t happened.
“This Government has made clear commitments in the Programme for Government to both improve access and increase the percentage of the population with an NHS dentist.
“It must now work closely with Powys Health Board to ensure these commitments are actually delivered in Montgomeryshire.”
Mr George raised his concerns with the First Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, in Questions on Tuesday 26th June. Mr Jones agreed to look into the issues in Montgomeryshire.
Mr George added "I am pleased that the First Minister seemed to take my concerns seriously and I have also taken up this issue with the Powys Local Health Board."