Dentist closing to NHS patients

A dental practice is to close to NHS patients in west Cornwall in 2010.

The move by the Morrab Dental Practice Penzance will mean NHS patients will have to use an emergency dentist until new arrangements are in place.

St Ives MP Andrew George said he was informed of the move by Antek Lejk, the interim director of primary care for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

The move is likely to effect some 3,000 patients. Health officials said a new NHS dentist would be employed.

'Brave face'

Mr George said he had written to the secretary of state about the situation.

Mr George said he had called on minister Andy Burnham "to give Cornwall the resources to bring its NHS dentistry at least up to a level most other places take for granted".

He said: "I admire the attempt of the PCT to put a brave face on it.

"But even they have to admit that if we had a fair share of resources and the government gave us the money they now admit we deserve, we wouldn't be in this pickle.

"You can't run a decent dental service in a hand-to-mouth environment."

Antek Lejk said the loss of another NHS dentist in Cornwall was unfortunate, but that primary care trust was already working to ensure patients did not lose out.

He said: "It's a shame when a dentist chooses to come out of the NHS and go into private practice, but we keep the money and then we use that money to get more dental provision for NHS patients."

The dental practice, which is withdrawing its NHS services in early 2010, declined to comment on the move.