Holt dental practice to stop NHS dental services
A dental practice in Holt, North Norfolk, will stop NHS dental services at the end of November.
Compass Clinic has contacted patients to inform them that the practice will switch to private services only from November 30th. In a letter to patients, the owners stated that there was no choice but to make the change due to “a chronic lack of investment in NHS dentistry by successive governments, coupled with rapidly rising costs.” The owners added that it was no longer possible to provide NHS care and “remain a viable business.”
Patients were told that like other practices across the country, the clinic owners had to make difficult decisions. They came to the conclusion that the only option was to stop NHS services and see patients on a private basis only.
Lucy Barnes, from Holt, is one of hundreds of patients affected by the announcement. She said that she was shocked to read the letter and is now worried about how she is going to access dental care.
The membership plan at the practice is not affordable, she added, especially at a time when living costs are rising. She said that she had calculated the costs for herself and her daughters. The private plan would cost around £390 per year in contrast to one check-up for Lucy and free NHS dental care for her children at a cost of around £23 per year.
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