Mydentist, in Victoria Place, Carlisle, said NHS dentistry was facing ‘unprecedented pressure’ which has forced clinics not to offer NHS cover.
A self-employed dentist in a practice has made the ‘difficult decision’ to stop providing NHS dentistry.
In a letter addressed to patients seen by News & Star, one of the practice’s self-employed dentists wrote: “The decision to make this change has been difficult but necessary to allow me to continue to provide a quality service.
“This change will allow me to spend more time with my patients, maintaining and improving their dental health, while also reducing appointment wait times.”
The letter also states that “NHS treatment will still be available with other dentists at the practice, although routine and emergency appointments will be available subject to capacity”.
But the change from NHS dentistry to a private plan has been criticized by former city councilor Elsie Martlew.
“Those are weasel words,” she said.
“When I inquired at the practice I was told this was not possible as there was only one NHS dentist and the list was full.
“Now there will be patients unable to afford dental treatment.
“This is the latest in a long line of Carlisle practices that have gone private and stopped taking NHS patients.
“Unfortunately, their reason for leaving NHS dental services,” continued Elsie, “is because they can no longer afford to carry out the treatment.
“The real culprit in this debacle is the Tory government and its cynical and deliberate policy of underfunding the service, knowing full well that it will result in the destruction of NHS dentistry.
“The failure of this Tory government, which has been in power for almost 13 years, to properly fund NHS dentistry is a deliberate policy to privatize the national dental service.”
A mydentist spokesman said: “NHS dentistry is facing unprecedented pressure which, since the pandemic, has resulted in many clinicians choosing to leave NHS treatment.
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“One of our self-employed dentists at our practice in Victoria Place in Carlisle has made the same difficult decision.
“However, we would like to reassure our patients that the practice remains committed to providing NHS care.
“We are doing everything we can to recruit more NHS dentists and continue to offer affordable private treatment to ensure as many patients as possible can access the care they need.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “This Government is committed to improving access to dentistry.
“We have already introduced a number of measures to improve access to NHS dentistry in England and will soon publish a plan to increase access and improve services further.”
