THE Worcester News sold an extra 1,000 copies on the day last month we broke the news that 35,000 people across Worcestershire would no longer be able to have dental treatment on the National Health Service.

It's flattering to think that more readers were welcomed to the fold for any number of reasons, but perhaps we should concede that the story's subject matter was also a major factor that had people reaching for their 30ps.

The awful reality of the dental care crisis was also not lost on the people who run our primary care trust, for it appears that they were galvanised into making great efforts to fill this yawning chasm in care.

We're therefore happy to report today that regardless of what provided the motivating force, Worcestershire has managed to limit the damage - two new practices will be opening soon, availing 7,000 patients with NHS treatment.

When the original story broke, this column called on health chiefs and dentists to confront the unacceptable prospect of dental care once again reverting to being a privilege enjoyed by the well-off. The Worcester News could not accept that decades of care were about to be consigned to the incinerator of health history. A return to the days of total extractions for 21st birthday presents or - Heaven forbid - a latterday equivalent to Waterloo teeth were prospects just too awful to imagine.

The main thing is that the climb-back to NHS provision has begun. Let's all give a big toothy smile.