Dental clinic closed to NHS patients
Three thousand patients could lose out after a dental practice in west Cornwall announced it would not be providing NHS services from 2010.
The Penzance-based Morrab Dental Practice is turning its back on the NHS and patients will now have to receive treatment from an emergency dentist until new services are put in place.
Local politicians are now calling on the government to find a solution to the dental care access problems in the region.
Andrew George, St Ives MP, said he had demanded that Andy Burnham, Health Minister, give Cornwall the resources to bring NHS dentistry in the area up to the national average standards.
He added that the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) were putting on a brave face but said that government needed to act to give Cornwall a fair share of dental resources.
The local NHS has now said that a new dentist would be employed.
Antek Lejk, NHS Cornwall’s interim primary care director, called the loss of Morrab Dental Practice “unfortunate” but said that the PCT was working hard to ensure patient care did not suffer.
Commenting on dentists moving into private practice Mr Lejk said that it was a shame so many dentists were leaving the NHS.
Morrab Dental Practice refused to comment on its decision to go private.
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