It’s private patients only now, says dentist

A YORK dentist will no longer provide NHS care to her patients from September.

Hopkins & Poyner Dental Practice’s Victoria Poyner wrote to patients telling them she will stop providing NHS dentistry from September 1.

Instead, Ms Poyner, whose practice is in High Petergate, will focus on private dental care.

Patients have been offered a plan to continue with the dentist if they pay £17.33 per month.

Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, said: “Last week I crossexamined the dental minister over her flawed recovery plan and was able to ascertain there is no new money set aside to support NHS dentistry and no plan to reform the NHS contract in the near future, waiting until after the general election.

“This is a disgraceful response to the dental crisis and sits behind the reason why so many dental practices are handing back their NHS contracts and going private.

“Labour has committed to ensuring NHS dentistry is available to everyone and has said that on the Monday morning after a general election reform will start.”

The Department of Health and Social Care said: “Our recovery plan will create 2.5 million more dental appointments this year by offering cash incentives to dentists taking on new NHS patients and golden hellos of up to £20,000 to encourage dentists to work in underserved areas.

“Backed by £200 million in 2024/25, the fully funded plan will support practices to deliver on their obligations and provide more NHS care for patients.

“The Government already invests more than £3 billion a year to support NHS dentistry and we are starting to see progress.”

Hopkins and Poyner Dental Practice did not respond to a request to comment.