‘UTTER dismay’ and disappointment has been expressed by patients at the Salisbury Villa Dental Surgery in Teignmouth which will stop treating NHS patients.

The surgery says it will have to give up treating NHS patients from November because they can no longer provide the services people need under the NHS.

One patient, who asked not to be named, contacted the Teignmouth Post to say they had been ‘forced to sign up for private dental care against their wishes.

They added: ‘I have had over a decade of extremely good care from my NHS dentist at Salisbury Terrace, and I am very disappointed that they are being forced to give up NHS work.

‘This has happened at a very bad time for some patients who are having trouble already making ends meet.

‘I should like to see a statement from our MP as to why the Government is underfunding dentistry in the UK forcing Dentists to give up NHS work and go private.

‘Does she understand the importance of regular dental check ups and keeping good oral health?

‘My NHS Dentist not only checked my teeth and put right any problems, but also checked my whole mouth and round my jaw and neck for signs of cancer.

‘I have a friend who was saved by her dentist who found signs of cancer early enough for it to be treated.

‘The health of your teeth is really important.

‘Bad teeth can lead to so many other complications and health problems.’

Vice chair of the Newton Abbot Constituency Labour Party, Dr Jeffrey Pocock, who is also a resident of Teignmouth, said he was ‘dismayed by the death of NHS dentistry’.

‘The news that from November 2022 another local dentist, the Salisbury Villa Dental Surgery in Teignmouth, will not be providing NHS dental services will be met with utter dismay by local people.

‘Citing recruitment and retention issues, and scarce resources, current Salisbury Villa patients have been asked to sign up to a £18.50 monthly membership plan, or become a pay-as-you-go customer.

‘Failing that, current patients have been advised to seek an alternative NHS dentist elsewhere, no easy task with 2,000 dentists having left the NHS last year alone, 10% of all dentists in England, and with the number of dentists overall at its lowest in a decade.

You can read his opinion piece on this on page 32

On its website, the surgery says: ‘After much deliberation, as of 01 November 2022, We will no longer be providing NHS dental services.

‘This means patients who would like to remain with us will need to either join one of our membership plans or become a private ‘pay-as you-go’ patient.

‘We have always offered private dentistry and membership plans and now feel it is time to concentrate on this part of our service.

‘Leaving the NHS was not an easy decision but we have come to a point whereby working under the constraints of the NHS we can no longer provide the high quality care you deserve and we would like to offer.

‘Our patient membership plan helps you keep your teeth and gums healthy by allowing you to budget monthly for your dental care so that you can attend on a basis that’s right for you.

‘Through regular examinations and professional cleaning appointments we can spot issues early, potentially saving you from more invasive treatment in the future.’