THE only NHS dentist currently taking on new patients in the Ribble Valley has denied he is about to go private.

Danasagaran Athimoolam, who runs N G Taylor's dental practice in Parson Lane, Clitheroe, spoke out following concerns prompted by his relocation across town to York Street.

The practice has nearly 3,000 NHS patients and takes between 40 and 50 new patients every month.

But the lease on its current premises ran out on March 31.

After being granted consent from Ribble Valley Council planning committee, the dentist will now convert a house into a full practice complete with two dental surgeries, waiting room and an oral hygiene room.

The dentist is expected to live above the surgery, which will be considerably larger than the current one, possibly allowing for more patients to sign up.

Dr Athimoolam said: "I don't know where this rumour has come from but I have absolutely no plans to convert to a private practice.

"The vast majority of my patients are NHS, although there are some who ask for private treatment.

"Some people seem to think that one of the conditions of moving to York Street is that it converts to a private practice, but that's not true.

"I am currently the only NHS dentist taking on new patients in this area and I want that to remain.

"I hope to move in to York Street within the next three months. I will continue to operate in Parson Lane while we get the new premises properly equipped. We will soon be notifing all our patients so they know what is happening."

Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Douglas had told the planning meeting: "I have it on 100 per cent authority that this dentist intends to go private if he gets planning permission.

Is there any kind of condition we can impose that will mean it remains an NHS practice only?"

Committee chairman Richard Sherras replied: "No, it has to stand or fall on its merits as a dentist, not whether it is NHS or private. To try and control the NHS aspect of the application as a planning issue would make any decision easily appealed against."

Permission was granted including the condition that the surgery does not operate on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

A spokesman for Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust, which supplies patients to the surgery, said: "This surgery is to remain carrying out NHS work. We welcome the fact it is moving to a larger building and hope it could even take on more patients at a later date."