Thousands of patients hit by dentists leaving NHS

Seaham Smiles is one of the dental practices ending its NHS contract

Thousands of people across County Durham have been forced to move dentists or face paying for private treatments.

The situation has come about after several dental practices decided not to renew their NHS contracts in the last year.

Seaham Smiles is the most recent practice to end its NHS contract in a move affecting more than 3,800 patients.

NHS bosses said the government's Dental Recovery Plan should benefit patients in the region.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a total of 14 dental practices handed back their NHS contracts during 2023-24 in the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) NHS, meaning they will no longer deliver NHS services.

In 2020, just three contracts were handed back.

Dental Recovery Plan

Health officials hope that the government's recently announced Dental Recovery Plan will help alleviate some of the pressures.

The scheme will see one-off payments of £20,000 paid to 240 dentists working in underserved communities for at least three years.

Sarah Burns, joint head of integrated strategic commissioning at NENC NHS, said: “We haven’t had the detail of what will apply at a local level but it is well received.

"We know we have some under-served areas in County Durham, so it should benefit us.”

In County Durham four dental practices have handed back their NHS contracts since 1 April 2023. The are:

• Seaham Smiles – ending on 31 March

• Novident Willington – ended on 30 April 2023

• Bishop Auckland Partnership – ended on 30 June 2023

• Oasis Dental Care, Shildon – ended on 30 June 2023

Councillor Tony Stubbs, from Durham County Council, described the situation as a "lost cause".

He said: "I have tried to get a dentist appointment and have been told to phone back in March. 

“Practices have decided that they can make a lot more money by going private – the people are willing to pay it – and there’s nothing the NHS can do about it."