1st February 2012

LYME REGIS: Kent House dentist goes private

LYME Regis dentist Paul Bester has announced his practice, Kent House Dental Care, will no longer offer NHS treatment as of April 1st 2012.

Dr Bester said the decision to go private and offer Denplan Care - costing between £8.98 and £28.80 a month - was “not an easy one”. He said it was down to changes and constraints imposed by the NHS, making it “increasingly difficult” to offer the service.

In a statement to the View From Lyme Regis, Dr Bester said: “Since the introduction of the latest NHS dental contract in April 2006, we have maintained the quality of care required by that contract. However, this is becoming increasingly difficult under the constraints imposed by the NHS and after much consideration we have decided no longer to offer NHS treatment from 1 April 2012.

“Having provided NHS dentistry for 16 years now and having always been an ardent supporter of it, as many of you will know, I feel that both the recent contract which was introduced in 2006 and now the next one which will completely change the system again, no longer properly serve the original intention of the National Health Service.

“This has not been an easy decision for us, but one we feel necessary for the continuity of our business.

“Dental practices are independent businesses and investing in the future has become too uncertain under the terms of the new contract. Just as PCTs can decide which dentists they give contracts to and the value of each contract, every dentist can choose to contract or not with the NHS.

“After a lot of research and taking into consideration the current economic climate, we are inviting patients to join Denplan Care – a comprehensive dental payment plan that will enable patients to budget for the cost of their dental treatment through a fixed monthly payment.

“Denplan Care includes all routine dental treatment including check-ups, hygiene treatment, preventive dental advice and therapy, crowns, bridges, fillings, dentures, gum and root canal treatments among others, providing patients with ongoing dental treatment without the worry of unexpected treatment costs. Depending on each individual’s oral healthcare needs, the cost of the plan ranges from just £8.98 - £28.80 a month.

“The plan also includes Denplan’s Supplementary Insurance cover, supported by a 24-hour Worldwide Dental Injury and Emergency Helpline.

“We asked Dorset PCT if we could possibly continue to treat children and adults who are exempt from dental charges, on the NHS, but they flatly refused. For this reason, children of registered Denplan patients will receive free check-ups and necessary treatment up to the age of 18.

“From the earliest stage, we have kept patients fully informed about what this change will mean to them, both in terms of changes to the charging process and in terms of the quality of care that they will receive.

“I apologise for any inconvenience caused, and I am truly sorry if this does not suit you as I love Lyme Regis and regard it a privilege to serve this wonderful community, but I feel that I really do not have a choice if I hope to continue practising here.

“We would like to thank all our patients for their support and loyalty and look forward to continuing to provide quality dental care for them and their families.”

LYME REGIS: Kent House dentist goes private

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