NHS Dentistry Lives On In Porthcawl
This article was written by Tony Fodor
With patients still stuggling to find an NHS dentist near them, what options are available for patients in Wales?
In July 2008 a Government Select Committee of MPs reported on the effects of the new NHS Dental Contract. The report was a damning verdict on the chaotic state of British dentistry, concluding that the Government is now failing in all of its stated targets.
The Select Committee found that some dentists in the NHS have resorted to taking short cuts in order to meet Government targets: in some cases extracting patients' teeth instead of carrying out more complex repair work, like root fillings.
Reviewing the report, The Times columnist Nigel Hawkes noted: "Can NHS dentistry be rescued? It seems unlikely."
In recent years, British Dentists have come to depend more and more on the private sector, and since the new contract was imposed in April 2006 this trend has risen sharply. In fact by April 2009, after a 3-year "honeymoon" period, 7% of Welsh Dentists confirmed that they were leaving the NHS, with a further 59% "undecided".
So after 60 years of NHS dentistry, many patients across the UK are facing an uncertain future: if their Dentist leaves the NHS they'll have to pay for treatment privately, unless they can find a NHS Dentist with space for new patients.
What does this mean for patients at U Smile?
We are concerned by the Government's handling of NHS dentistry. However, we're also fully committed to our patients and the principles of the NHS, so we plan to continue providing NHS treatment for exempt adults and children. However, we are unable to provide NHS treatment for non-exempt adults - so if you're classed as able to pay for treatment, we recommend that you take out a dental plan with Denplan.
What is Denplan?
Denplan provides cost-effective dental plans that allows you to cover the cost of dental care as part of your monthly budget. Many patients have found that the cost of Denplan cover is actually lower than the NHS charges they paid previously.
Denplan offers two levels of cover: Denplan Care for comprehensive cover / and Denplan Essentials, a pay-as-you-go option that starts at just £8 per month.
As well as helping you to meet the cost of dental care, Denplan Excel is an important quality assurance standard, which our practice has just been accredited with after a period of close inspection. As the first dental practice in the Bridgend area to achieve this standard, we're proud to work alongside Denplan to safeguard treatment for patients who miss the protection of the NHS.
Are you exempt from NHS charges?
If you qualify as exempt and need to find a NHS Dentist, we may have space for you here at the practice. In the first instance, please get in touch here or call 01656 782365 and we'll arrange an initial consultation.
Read more:
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USmile: Your South Wales NHS Dentist Usmile Accepts Patients From Porthcawl, Bridgend, Port Talbot, Pyle, Kenfig Hill: And Beyond… |
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