Stamford dentist cuts back on NHS care
Thousands of patients have been left without a dentist following decisions to cut back on NHS care.
MyDentist Oakham is scrapping all its NHS provision next month while one dentist at Bupa Dental Care Stamford will only treat NHS patients who are under 18 from today (Friday).
Adults registered with Dr Ritesh Patel at the Ryhall Road practice have had their appointments cancelled while the company tries to recruit a new dentist.
Regional operations director Sharon Drury said: “We want to reassure all our patients that we have three dentists who treat NHS patients in Stamford and are working to allocate emergency appointments to them.
“We are also in the process of recruiting a further NHS dentist to continue ongoing treatment for NHS patients.”
The company did not say how many patients are affected.
MyDentist Oakham will stop seeing its NHS patients in August when it relocates from Burley Road to Barleythorpe.
A spokesman said: “We have struggled to recruit NHS dentists over recent years and this has become much more challenging since the pandemic.
“As a result we have been forced to make the very difficult decision to cease providing NHS dental treatment from August 8.”
In May a survey by Healthwatch Lincolnshire found 45 per cent of those who responded did not have access to an NHS dentist.
The East Midlands NHS Dentistry Team recommends people visit the NHS website to find a dentist, but nowhere in Rutland. Stamford or Bourne is taking on new patients.
Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has called a meeting with Health Secretary Sajid Javid to discuss the issue.
She said: “There is a basic level of provision we expect. That is why I wrote to the Health Secretary highlighting the current lack of services available and requesting that he act immediately to remedy the situation.”
A spokesman for NHS England said: “Some dental practices have a mixed contract of NHS and private work. We would expect them to ensure all their NHS appointments are used appropriately and not simply direct patients into their private practice.”
Patients who feel dentists are prioritising private work at the expense of urgent NHS work should contact england.contactus@nhs.net
Stamford MP Gareth Davies was asked to comment but did not respond.
What do you think? Email smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
