A dental practice in Cornwall is to start an NHS pilot scheme where only the most vulnerable children and patients will be seen.
The practice, Carriage Works Lostwithiel Dental Surgery, has more than 4,500 NHS registered patients.
However, the only patients retained will be those under 18, over 80 or with specific health needs, according to a BBC report. This means that all other patients must look elsewhere for NHS treatment or go private.
The NHS pilot scheme, which aims to provide help to those most in need, will run for at least two years at the Cornwish practice. In addition, it will be regularly reviewed after it comes into effect on October 9.
Finlay Bason is the owner of the practice and the main dentist at the practice. He said he knows it will not come as ‘welcome news’, but adds that the practice is doing its best in a complex and challenging situation.
Making a difference
Chris Reid, chief medical officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, worked closely with the practice and NHS England to support the scheme. Commenting on the pilot project, he said he is interested to see how it will change. He would also like to see if there is ‘potential to expand this approach more widely’.
It comes after new data revealed that more than 4.4 million children in England were not seen by an NHS dentist last year.
Led by the Liberal Democrats, the research showed that 38.7% of children across the country had not received the annual NHS check recommended in health service guidelines.
Eddie Crouch is chairman of the British Dental Association (BDA). He said: ‘Our youngest patients are already paying the price for a crisis created in Westminster.
“These access problems are the result of political choices. Every political party needs to wake up and offer an action plan, otherwise this service will have no future.’
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