'People are pulling out their teeth': Chippenham dentist drops NHS patients
From today (November 1), the Hathaway Dental Practice is ceasing all NHS dental treatment
If you're in Chippenham, you're an adult, and you need a dentist - you no longer have a local NHS practice to visit.
From today, those who used to visit the Hathaway and have their treatment subsidised on the National Health Service are no longer able to use it, with bosses earlier this year citing the 'imminent departure' of four dentists - of whom, they haven't been able to replace with NHS practitioners.
They sent a letter to patients warning them of the changes, adding NHS care is a cause of 'increasing challenges' - amid spiralling costs not being covered by the current national contract deal.
Instead, those in need of treatment will have a choice: pay private, or drive further afield - something the local MP tells us, for many, is simply an untenable option.
Read more: MP writes to Health Secretary with Chippenham dentist to stop NHS treatment
'Dentistry is on its knees'
Greatest Hits Radio has again been catching up with Chippenham's Lib Dem representative, Sarah Gibson, who has kept the state of dental services at the top of her agenda since taking office back in the summer.
She told us her concerns for locals in the area.
Sarah said: "If you're a family in Chippenham, and you need to take your children out of school to see a dentist, it's just not realistic for everyone to drive them to Devizes."
The issue surrounds the current deal which is being offered across the country to practices.
Chippenham's MP added: "A bit like what's happened in Chippenham, if we look at the national picture, if dentists decide to give up their dental contracts, once you've got out - it's quite a lot of work to get back in it.
"That's worrying, because now it makes me think, will they even consider getting back into an NHS contract?
"It's quite a lot of work to get back into a contract - and even when they're offered a better deal, we could be in a situation where these practices don't even want to consider the idea.
"It seems that this current contract has been failing since its inception - and the immense amount of red tape that's involved is just one of a number of factors as to why we've now got into this dire situation.
"Dentistry is on its knees, and if it starts to crumble, as it is, on the edges, and poeple feel the need to go into a health plan that's private, well, that's not the answer, because not everyone can afford it.
"I've been working very hard on this issue since coming into office, and I believe very strongly that health provision should be free at the point of use.
"Since 1951, we have made a contribution towards our dental care, and we should do our very best to make sure that continues, as we look to the future."
There is some good news for our region's young people, however.
Some services, orthodontic procedures for children on the NHS is said to be continuing at the Hathaway, following conversations with the local Integrated Health Board.
Sarah said it's a positive step - as it means children halfway through their treatment can continue to receive it.
'I wasn't surprised'
Reacting to the news at the time, a number of locals said how they weren't shocked to hear NHS dental services weren't going to continue for much longer at the Hathaway.
On Facebook, one person said: "I received the letter from Hathaway last week. I wasn't surprised." They added: "Every single appointment I have made with them over the past 3 or 4 years has been cancelled by them. The only way I've ever been able to actually get seen is when I've had a problem."
Another said: "Myself and my daughter are patients at this dentist and were absolutely heartbroken when we received the letters sent. I have looked into the plans and the cost of private dental care and as a single mum I could not afford it.
"We are in a cost of living crisis as it is with many families on the bread line leading to mental health issues and people drowning in debt. This is one extra thing we do not need!"
A third added: "I haven’t seen a dentist in 7 years, as I can’t get an NHS dentist, and I refuse to pay extortionate private fees, unless I absolutely have to. It’s not just stubbornness, but a current lack of means to afford it on top of everything else."
'My constituents are horrified'
Speaking in Parliament last week during an opposition day debate, Sarah said: "Dental services are broken.
"People are pulling out their own teeth and then being rushed to the NHS to deal with a problem that is everywhere. However, integrated care boards across the country are underspending millions on dentistry.
"Chippenham comes under the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB, and according to a freedom of information request to the British Dental Association, that ICB dental underspend amounts to £4.2 million.
"My constituents are horrified.
"We are about to lose yet another NHS dental practice, in part, due to recruitment challenges, but mostly because of the current state of the dental contract system.
"In my first weeks as an elected member for Chippenham, I attended a briefing on preventative healthcare with the Secretary of State, and I felt reassured that this was an issue being looked at.
"However, three months have passed, and there's been nothing concrete from the Government about a reform of these contracts, or even a proposed consultation timeline.
"I implore Labour’s health team to urgently review the NHS dental contract system and stop dental healthcare being a privilege."
Speaking to us, Chippenham's MP added she is 'looking forward' to seeing the results of an urgent review of dental contracts, whilst Sarah tells us the Integrated Care Board have now spent the surplus cash, which the FoI uncovered had not yet been used.
'The consequences for patients are dire'
It's not the only sign of local dental services are creaking.
Hop over to Bristol, and we reported hundreds of people queuing for hours round the block when a local practice opened its doors to new patients.
The queue reached a line so long that bosses at St Pauls Dental Practice had to cut it off - to stop people waiting for the change to get registered on their books.
"Is Taylor Swift in there?," one man asked, "it's like I'm waiting at Alton Towers."
Earlier this year, the then-Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health, Labour's Prett Gill, said: “These queues lays bare the state of dentistry after 14 years of the Conservatives.
"99% of dentists across the South West aren't accepting any new adult patients.
“The consequences for patients are dire. Last year, there were more than 1,000 dental emergencies in Bristol alone."
'Prevention is better than cure'
In a statement sent to us, the Government previously said that it is 'unacceptable' that so many people struggle to simply get a dental appointment.
Read more: MP writes to Health Secretary with Chippenham dentist to stop NHS treatment
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson added: “Rebuilding NHS dentistry is a priority for this government.
“We will start with an extra 700,000 urgent dentistry appointments to help those who need it most, and reform the dental contract to encourage more dentists to offer NHS services to patients.
“Prevention is better than cure, so we will also introduce supervised tooth brushing for three to five-year-olds.”
We have also contacted the dental practice and the Integrated Care Board for a comment.