Wrexham dental practice removes 3,000 NHS patients due to dentist shortages
A dental practice in Wrexham has removed 3,000 NHS patients from its list due to dentist shortages.
Patients affected by the news have taken to social media, with many complaining about the lack of notice and raising concerns over finding a new dentist in the area. Some of those affected have been with the practice for decades.
In a statement, the team at Ruabon Road Dental Practice confirmed that there was no option but to remove patients from the register after three NHS dentists left the practice and one retired. The practice doesn’t have the capacity to offer NHS services for all patients and has decreased its NHS contract responsibilities by 25% from April 2023.
Suzanne Davies, practice manager, said that the team has tried everything to avoid losing NHS patients but it has been impossible to fill vacancies, which means that it is longer viable to continue with the previous contract. The practice has been in constant contact with representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board and is now focused on providing the best quality care for the remaining 8,000 patients who receive NHS care.
Tony Whilding, 34, has been a patient at the practice since he was a child and said that he was incredibly disappointed by the decision to remove him from the list. He expressed anger at being informed that he would be able to attend the practice as a private patient, suggesting that people can’t afford to pay higher prices for dental treatment during a cost of living crisis.
Patients who previously attended the practice and have been notified of changes to NHS provision have been offered the option to sign up for a private dental plan, which costs from £15.85 per month.
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