The government has announced its plans for improving the provision of dentistry services within the NHS.

On Friday, the health secretary confirmed that an extra £368 million will be invested to improve recruitment and training.

Ministers pledged to recruit 650 new dentists by October 2005 from both the UK and overseas, while those who have left the profession will be offered a new deal and flexible working to return.  Those still in practice will be encouraged to increase their commitment to the NHS.

The government will fund an extra 179 undergraduate dental training places in England from October 2005, an increase of a quarter, while funding of NHS dentistry will increase by more than £250 million a year.

There will also be reforms to the service - a new dentists contract will be introduced, with new roles for hygienists and dental nurses.  In addition, local primary care trusts will be responsible for sustaining expenditure on dentistry from the £1.6 billion devolved budget.

"I have demanded we recruit 1,000 more dentists immediately to make it easier for people to see an NHS dentist, but I also want to reform the system so dentists want to work for the NHS in the future," said John Reid.

"Dental services will be properly integrated with the rest of the NHS providing better access to services and an improved patient experience.  The package of measures I've announced today represents an unprecedented level of government commitment and investment in NHS dentistry."