Rosie Cooper MP said: “I was appalled when local dentists reduced their NHS care at very short notice, leaving people desperately worried about their future dental care and were therefore effectively forced into going private.

“This was just unacceptable and I pressured NHS Central Lancashire to reinstate NHS provision for everyone. A permanent service would take time to be procured and therefore we were promised a temporary service in the short term.

“I am glad to say that we now have that interim service in place, including evening sessions for people who are working.

“The big message to everyone is that extra, permanent NHS dentists are on their way and there is no need to pay for private care. I hope people who were forced into paying for dental care because of the actions of those dentists will now choose to return to the NHS.”