I am sorry to see that David Duffy has closed his dental practice in Littlemore, Oxford, and will now concentrate his energies at his new surgery in Abingdon (Oxford Mail, June 29).

It came as no surprise to me, as during my last visit, he voiced his concerns and spoke of the prohibitive costs that patients would face when the new contracts with NHS dentists came into force.

The root cause of the problem is the method of payment, which would make it impossible for him to maintain two surgeries.

He was forced to make a choice and I don't blame him for choosing his newly fitted and furnished and recently opened surgery in Abingdon, a town that has seen a lot of investment and growing housing developments.

I blame the faceless bureaucrats who have undermined a part of the health service that worked well and catered for the needs of the community.

Why was there no encouragement or help given to the few remaining dentists who are dedicated to the NHS?

It is no surprise to find that the surgeries that have closed are all located in the poorest and deprived areas.

Did these bureaucrats take into consideration the problems they would create, or did they think that the dentists would capitulate?

I am pleased to see that the dentists have not abandoned their existing NHS patients and will treat them in their surgeries, but to many living in Littlemore, Abingdon is a good distance away. It is ironic that with the introduction of the pensioners' free bus pass, free travel to these towns will not be available, adding further costs.

Vim Rodrigo, Rivermead Road, Rose Hill, Oxford