EIGHT thousand Pembrokeshire residents are still without a dentist - despite two new dental practices officially opening last week, says Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

The practices at Milford Haven and Haverfordwest were officially opened by health minister Edwina Hart.

But Mr Davies has been told by the local health board that there are still 8,000 people on the dental waiting list.

"Of course I welcome the news that these new practices have opened, they are well overdue," said Mr Davies.

"But one swallow does not a summer make. There is still a severe shortage of dentists in Pembrokeshire and I fear that many people have not even bothered to put their name on the waiting list.

"We need much more investment and commitment from the Welsh Assembly Government to solve the shortage of both dentists and orthodontists in our County."

Mr Davies invited Mrs Hart to a meeting with both private and NHS dentists from Pembrokeshire while she was in the county.

"They told her what they thought should be done to help solve the problem and were particularly keen to see the payment system, under which they currently get paid per treatment, to be overhauled," he added.