CONCERN has been raised locally about difficulties accessing NHS dental care.
Residents have said that they have been unable to register with an NHS dentist for over a year, whilst others have explained that they have been forced to seek private dental care instead.
In Melksham, two out of the three dental practices on the NHS website are listed as “only taking new NHS patients who have been referred”. Whilst a third practice is not accepting any new NHS patients.
“I’ve been trying for two years to get a new dentist after mine decided to go private,” one resident told Melksham News. “I was willing to travel to be seen but can’t find any taking on [NHS patients].”
A report by Healthwatch England earlier this month has revealed that patients in Wiltshire could face an 18-month waiting list for an NHS dentist.
Healthwatch England’s analysis of 8,019 people’s experiences of NHS dentistry between April 2020 and September 2021 found that four in five people report struggling to access NHS dental care, including emergency treatment.
Some dental practices have either shut down or have gone fully private and some dentists have used up their total NHS capacity and are asking people for private fees instead. The analysis also found that it is often the most vulnerable people in society, including children, disabled people and those living in care homes, who are suffering the most.
Bansari Lalan from Melksham Dental Practice – which is listed on the NHS website as not accepting any new NHS patients – told Melksham News, “As a local NHS dental practice, we are proud to serve our local community by looking after their dental needs.
“Covid-19 has provided a big challenge to all the dental practices. We were unable to see patients face to face for a long time, which has resulted in a backlog of patients waiting for their check-ups and treatments.
“To add to this, we have the smallest NHS contract in Melksham. We already have more than required patients on our list. Together all this makes it very difficult for us to accept new NHS patients.
“However, we have a waiting list of patients who are keen to join, and as and when spaces are available, we will contact them. At the same time, whenever possible, we definitely try and help patients when they call up with dental emergencies.”
Both the Regency Dental Practice, Spa Road, and the Market Place Dental Clinic, are listed on the NHS website as only taking new NHS patients who have been referred by a dentist.
Practice manager at Market Place Dental Clinic, James Badman, told Melksham News, “We are dedicated to providing excellent patient care and we do everything we can to accommodate new patients.
“However, due to capacity, we’re not currently accepting new NHS patients unless they have been referred to us by a previous dentist and have recently moved to the local area.”
The Regency Dental Practice was approached for comment, but had not replied at the time of the paper going to print.
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