A PATIENT at a dental practice in Prestatyn has voiced concerns regarding whether they will be able to afford additional charges being imposed there from next month.

The patient, who asked not to be named, has been registered with mydentist’s Prestatyn clinic on High Street for at least a decade, but received a letter last week detailing a new payment plan.

The plan, which will come into effect at the practice from October 1, will see the practice withdraw from NHS dental services and move to an independent model, giving patients three options:

• Option A – one dental examination and hygiene appointment each per year, and a 10 per cent discount on oral hygiene products (£7.75 per month).

• Option B - two dental examinations and hygiene appointments each per year, and a 10 per cent discount on oral hygiene products (£15.45 per month).

• Option C - two dental examinations and four hygiene appointments per year, and a 10 per cent discount on oral hygiene products (£23.95 per month).

The letter from the practice was shown to the Journal; dated September 2, the patient said they received it three days later.

Extracts from the letter read: “It has become apparent that some changes need to be made to the way I practise, to ensure I can continue to offer the highest level of care my patients deserve.

“The decision to make this change has been a difficult one, but necessary to allow me to continue to provide a high-quality service.

“This change will allow me to spend more time with my patients, maintaining and improving their dental health, whilst also reducing appointment waiting times.”

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The patient fears they will be unable to afford these new charges, which they called a “joke”.

They also expressed concerns that many others will be in the same boat, particularly given the current cost of living crisis.

The patient said: “It came out of the blue. Apparently, there’s only one dentist there now, and he’s making these changes, but all he’s doing is making it as if it’s a private practice.

“You’re paying £7.75 per month on a ‘cheap rate’, which only gives you one check-up a year.

“It says on the back of the letter that if I don’t want to do this, then I can go with a NHS dentist, but they don’t have any, and they’re not going to take any until after Christmas.

“Especially as it is today, there are many people who can’t afford this, and so are going to lose their dental treatment.

“I spoke to them as soon as I got the letter, but they just said to ring back in January.

“I can ring 111 and get emergency dental treatment if I need it, but that’s not the point. I just think it’s a joke.

“I rang the mydentist practices in Rhyl and Llandudno and they only have one dentist each as well. They’ve got no staff.

“I’m not the only one; there are a lot of angry people.”

Thee patient also criticised the practice for giving “less than a month’s notice” about such changes, and urged the addition of a NHS dentist as soon as possible.

“To give me less than a month’s notice to sign up to the agreement… and if I don’t, I haven’t got a dentist, because there’s no NHS dentist there.

“It says on the letter that they’re giving you an option, but there isn’t an option, because they haven’t got a NHS dentist.

“If you need non-emergency dental treatment, you’re not going to get it (without paying these additional costs).

“I think it’s wrong. People just haven’t got £7 a month spare at the moment because of the cost of living.”

In response, a spokesperson for mydentist said: “NHS dentistry is facing unprecedented pressure which, since the pandemic, has resulted in more than 3,000 clinicians choosing to move away from providing NHS treatments.

“One of our self-employed dentists at our practice in Prestatyn has made the same difficult decision to cease providing NHS dental services.

“We are doing everything we can to recruit more NHS dentists to join the team and are continuing to offer affordable private treatments to ensure as many patients as possible can get access to the care they need.”

The MP for Vale of Clwyd, James Davies, added that the news of another dental practice in the region distancing itself from NHS services was disappointing.

He added that the move points to an “underlying, significant issue with access to NHS dentistry”.

Dr Davies said: “It is a severe disappointment to learn of another dental practice in the local area, through no fault of their own, turning away from the provision of NHS services.

“Sadly, this is representative of an underlying, significant issue with access to NHS dentistry across Wales and beyond.

“Over the past year, I have written to the health board (Betsi Cadwaladr) on behalf of many constituents who have been struggling to access NHS dental care.

“In response, the health board has confirmed that they plan to commission additional dental services later this financial year for those areas identified as having high needs and existing low levels of NHS provision.

“One of the key issues responsible for the current difficulties is the 2006 dental contract. This acts as a disincentive to many dentists to perform NHS work.

“HM Government is pursuing its replacement for England, and I understand the Welsh Government plans to do the same for Wales.

“It is important that this takes place as soon as possible and I have written to the Welsh Health Minister to stress the urgency and to request an update.”

A full list of mydentist Prestatyn’s current treatments and costs can be found at: www.mydentist.co.uk/dentists/practices/wales/north-wales/prestatyn/37-high-street.