Isle of Wight dental practice stops NHS care
A dental practice on the Isle of Wight has stopped providing NHS services.
The owners of Sandown Dental Practice confirmed that the practice would stop offering NHS dentistry from July 1st. The practice has been an NHS provider for over 30 years.
The surgery, which is located on The Broadway, is offering private dental care for residents, as well as free examinations for children aged 0-5 whose parents are registered with the practice. Fees for check-ups for older children range from £10 for 6-12-year-olds to £20 for over 12s.
Representatives said that ending NHS provision had been an “extremely difficult decision.” The news will cause further anxiety for patients amid a deepening access crisis. There are currently no NHS practices offering appointments for new patients and many patients who are on practice lists can only get emergency appointments.
Patients have reacted angrily to the news. One parent questioned what she could do now that the practice had switched to private services. She said that her children have always attended the surgery and there are no places available anywhere.
There has been a lack of NHS dental places on the island for years, but the pandemic has exacerbated the situation and made it increasingly difficult for residents to get appointments. Plans to open a large NHS dental practice are on hold after it was confirmed recently that no providers had come forward to accept the new contract.
Patients who don’t have a dentist can contact NHS 111 if they need urgent treatment.
For more news click here.
Join this Discussion