Norfolk patient forced to drive to Kent to see a dentist
A woman from Norfolk has been travelling to Kent to see a dentist for a decade after being unable to find a local practice accepting NHS patients.
Maggie Wilcox moved to Norfolk in 2011 and has been driving over 3 hours to see her old dentist in Kent because she has never been able to find a dentist closer to her new home.
Maggie drives to Broadstairs, sometimes taking time off work or staying overnight to have dental treatment. For years, she has tried to find a practice in Norfolk, but has repeatedly struggled to find any clinics that have places available for NHS patients.
Maggie said that the trips are expensive and also inconvenient, as her husband is a self-employed plumber who would have to turn down work if he needed to see a dentist.
This summer, Maggie’s dentist in Kent retired and she tried once more to find a dentist near her home in Overstrand. After calling several practices, Maggie was unable to find a clinic accepting new patients, with most not even offering the option to join a waiting list. Even private dental practices in the area were unable to help.
After more calls, Maggie was eventually able to find a dentist in Stalham and although it is not on her doorstep, the journey will be much shorter and easier than driving to Broadstairs. Maggie shared her experiences on social media and was shocked to see how many other local people were in the same boat, with many travelling to Sussex or Surrey to visit a dentist.
NHS England has revealed plans to open a series of new practices in Norfolk and Suffolk, with six new clinics expected to open by July 2022.
For more news click here.
Join this Discussion