Few smiles as NHS dentist goes private (From Warrington Guardian)

Few smiles as NHS dentist goes private

SHOCKED NHS patients fear a dentist's decision to go private will stop people getting care.

Eagle Brow Family Dental Practice, in Lymm, sent a letter on November 1 to its NHS patients asking to choose from three paid-for schemes, blaming Government changes to its registrations and fee scale. Now it wants patients to pay either £4.77, £7.40 or £12.74 a month.

Patients now face either paying the fee or finding an NHS dentist in Warrington.

Janet Grimes, aged 55, of Statham Avenue, Lymm, said: "The last time I went to Eagle Brow, they were complaining about the Government changes, but I hadn't expected them to suddenly start charging.

"I'm aggrieved by the letter. It says you have to register with them promptly, which implies first come first served.

"I can't decide whether to find an NHS dentist in Warrington because there aren't any with spaces in Lymm, or just pay to stay with Eagle Brow."

A woman, who asked not to be named, says her 72-year-old mother-in-law received the letter.

She said: "She is in good health so will be able to get to Warrington, but other elderly people are not so lucky or they may not be able to afford the fee each month.

"People think all Lymm residents are rich but that isn't the case. It is appalling that children may not be seen for free."

A spokesman for Eagle Brow Dental Practice said he was unable to comment on the decision as the principal dentist, John Moorhouse, was away.

As reported in last week's Guardian Midweek, Smile Clinic on Froghall Lane, in Warrington, has recruited two new dentists and can recruit 3,000 new NHS patients.

For a list of Warrington dentists taking NHS patients, call 644210.