One of the remaining NHS dental practices in Felixstowe goes private

10 February 2023

In a letter to patients, A W Brown Dental Practice in Felixstowe, Suffolk, informed patients it was going to be exclusively providing private care from April.

In a letter to patients, A W Brown Dental Practice in Felixstowe, Suffolk, informed patients it was going to be exclusively providing private care from April.

Speaking to BBC News Marc James, whose family is registered with the practice, said, "On top of everything else, the cost of diesel, council tax going up, our gas and electricity bills going up, we've now got this. It's another kick in the teeth for anyone going to work."

A W Brown is one of two town dental practices providing NHS care. However, the second practice is not accepting new NHS patients.

The letter said that the change was a result of a “chronic lack of investment in NHS dentistry by successive governments, coupled with rapidly rising costs and lack of resources."

Toothless in Suffolk said that the government needs to “radically reform and fund the NHS dental contract".

Therese Coffey, Suffolk Costal Conservative MP and former health secretary said to BBC News, “Unfortunately, the government cannot stop dentists from refusing to provide such care.

“The government has invested in dentistry and will continue to do so, including strengthening the contract with dentists.

“I am pleased that the local NHS will be taking on responsibility for securing local NHS dental provision, as we want to avoid dental deserts in Felixstowe and the county.”