York dentist goes private

The Mount Dental Practice has sent letters out to all its NHS patients, advising them that from April 8, they will either have to join a dental care plan at a cost of £9.95 a month, or pay an annual registration fee of £32.50 per year, plus the cost of subsequent examinations and treatments.

The practice follows in the footsteps of Flynn's Dental Practice, in Acomb, and The Wigginton Dental Practice, in Wigginton, which announced their intentions to go private last year.

In its letter, The Mount Dental Practice promises to provide NHS-funded dentistry for children whose parents register with them privately.

A 45-year-old man, who did not want to be named, said he felt he had been forced into signing up to the monthly payment plan because he had two small children.

He said: "I now fall into the dental category of 'European', where people of 50 and above have little or no teeth, because they can't afford dental treatment. This is what we are coming to."

John Renshaw, chairman of the British Dental Association, said the situation in York was "very grim".

"It's very much a matter of regret that yet another practice is going in that direction because the Primary Care Trust is trying very hard to provide NHS treatment for anyone wishing to have it," he said.

"The situation in York is now very grim. There is almost no one taking on NHS patients at all, and all the patients that are unable to go privately with Mr Glover might find it very difficult to receive NHS treatment elsewhere. It's a very difficult situation. It's another nail in the coffin of NHS dentistry."

When the Evening Press phoned NHS Direct, we were told the only dentist in York taking on new NHS pPatients was Clock House Dental, in Heworth. The nearest alternatives were practices in Sherburn-in-Elmet and Boston Spa.

Mr Glover was unavailable for comment.

Updated: 10:10 Wednesday, January 12, 2005