London, Nov 23 (IANS) Britain is trying to meet a shortage of dentists by arranging for foreign qualified ones, including those from India, to be 'fast-tracked' into the National Health Service (NHS).

India is being targeted with the approval of the authorities and about 1,200 have expressed interest. But because they are from outside the European Union (EU), they face costly extra examinations as well as English tests, which can take months.

So, to speed up the process, Department of Health officials are considering allowing them to take the theoretical parts of the exams in India.

England has a shortfall of 1,850 dentists and Health Secretary John Reid has pledged to bring an extra 1,000 into the NHS by October 2005.

Dentists from other countries are also to be fast-tracked into the NHS. Extra sittings of exams are being held to clear a backlog of those from non-EU countries who want to work in Britain.

Raman Bedi, Britain's chief dental officer, said: "We are desperate to clear the backlog. A lot of them are on income support and doing part-time jobs, yet are very good dentists."

So far this year, 181 qualified dentists from outside the EU have passed the International Qualifying Exam, which they need to before practising here.

This is already 120 percent up on last year's total of 80.

Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "By increasing the number of exam sittings, the number of dentists able to work in the UK is increasing. We are targeting those dentists by informing them of the vacancies available in the NHS and their benefits."

The overseas initiative has at the same time raised fears of poaching.

Ian Wylie, chief executive of the British Dental Association, said: "India, for instance, has one dentist to every 36,000 people. The UK has one for every 2,000."

The first arrivals from overseas are likely to work in Cornwall, Devon and Cumbria, attracted by salaries of about 50,000 pounds a year.

In addition to foreign recruits, 170 new places are being opened at English dental schools.