NHS dentist 'gives back contract' as petition calls for emergency Government intervention
Bosses say 'the costs of providing NHS treatment outstrips the payments received from the NHS and therefore, the provision of loss-making, underfunded NHS dental care, can no longer be sustained'
Last updated 10th Oct 2023
A Devon dental practice says it does not 'underestimate the impact of this decision' after handing back its dental contract.
It comes as almost 900 people have signed a petition calling for Government intervention in the county.
Whitehall Dental Practice in South Molton say in a statement 'historically Whitehall Dental Practice has been able to offer both NHS and private services to its patients'.
"A review of the commercial viability of the practice has concluded that, despite our continued efforts to overcome the challenges in delivering NHS services for patients, the costs of providing NHS treatment outstrips the payments received from the NHS; and therefore, the provision of loss-making, underfunded NHS dental care, can no longer be sustained."
Dr Catherine Tannahill, a spokesperson for the Whitehall Dental Practice, added: “We do not underestimate the impact of this decision on NHS patients and the challenges they face in securing the care they need and deserve within the current system.
“NHS patients affected by these changes will be fully supported by our practice teams. Patients, who are currently receiving a course of treatment, will have these completed in advance of the NHS contract ending.
“Our priority remains the delivery of quality care and to use our resources effectively with a view of longer-term commercial sustainability. “
North Devon MP Selaine Saxby has even started a petition about the dentistry crisis in North Devon, which she plans to hand in later this month.
She said: “It is extremely disappointing that Whitehall Dental Practice in South Molton has decided to hand back its NHS dental contract. I understand that they have not done this lightly and despite improvements to the NHS contract this clearly shows that government has yet to get this right.
The NHS dental budget only covers about 30% of the population, but this 30% is often those who are in the greatest need. I met with British Dental Association (BDA) at Conference who made clear some of the innovations that have taken place in Manchester to make NHS dentistry work better and I know our Integrated Care Board (ICB) here in Devon have some ideas, as do I, but they need funding.
Having written and met with multiple ministers and dental practices over the years I know that some change is happening, but we need more help now. This is why I have launched my dental parliamentary petition, to help lobby for funding for our ICB for localised and targeted support, whilst I also lobby government for further wholesale change.
If you have not already signed my petition please do so here, every signature counts: www.change.org/DentistsinNorthDevon”