Folkestone dental practice to pause NHS services
Bupa Dental has written to patients to confirm that NHS services will be suspended at its Folkestone practice.
Due to a shortage of dentists, Bupa Dental Care will be unable to provide NHS dental care until further notice. Patients have been informed that the practice is desperately trying to recruit new dentists to increase capacity.
In a letter to patients, Robert Sanders, practice manager, stressed that every effort had been made to find new dentists, but there is a national shortage, which is making it increasingly difficult to hire dental professionals.
Mr Sanders explained that the team was aware of difficulties getting appointments and apologised to those who would be affected in the coming weeks and months. Patients can remain on the practice books and choose whether to pay for private care or wait for NHS services to resume if more dentists join in the future. Alternatively, they can search for NHS places elsewhere.
Patients have reacted to the news with disappointment. One resident, who has been going to the practice for many years, said that they were “devastated” and worried that they wouldn’t be able to find a dentist. A pensioner, the patient added they would be unable to afford private care.
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