A dental practice in Faringdon has been accused of trying to “make more money from local people” by an MP after it announced it would stop offering NHS services.

Walker & Associates Dental & Implant Clinic, which has historically offered both NHS and private services, will stop proving NHS treatment from September 30.

A spokeswoman said the practice had “explored all options” but could no longer sustain the provision of “loss-making underfunded NHS dental care.”

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But the decision has been branded as “little more than a move to make more money from local people” by Wantage MP David Johnston, who has written to the practice and urged it to reconsider.

“While they say this is because they have exhausted the options to find clinicians who are registered to treat NHS patients, they also say all their existing dentists are remaining at the practice,” he said.

Oxford Mail: MP David Johnston MP David Johnston (Image: Public)

“I share everyone's anger about this and have written to the practice and raised it with the minister responsible for dentistry.”

In a survey by Mr Johnston into healthcare provision in his constituency, 44 per cent of respondents said they had found it difficult to get a dental appointment in the last year.

In his letter to the practice, Mr Johnston described the decision as “very unwelcome news” for his constituents.

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He wrote: “Local people should not be forced into paying for private dental care and those who are unable to afford this now face not having access to dental services given many nearby practices are not accepting new patients.

“Those that are accepting new patients are significant distances away, which is not practical for many including children, those with disabilities or the elderly.”

Dr Catherine Tannahill, a spokeswoman for Walker & Associates, said the practice had been left “with no alternative” but to stop offering NHS services.

She pointed to a national shortage of NHS-providing dentists and the low pay that was offered by the NHS.

She said: “We have communicated this to our NHS patients and do understand that this could cause some difficulties with the need to travel further for appointments due to a shortage of NHS dental practices in the local area.

Oxford Mail: Walker & Associates Dental & Implant Clinic in Faringdon

“We hope to continue caring for our patients on a private basis and helping them to manage this transition.

“To help minimise the impact to our former NHS patients, we will be providing options to support the transition to private.

“These options include a monthly payment plan, pay-as-you-go private dentistry, free check-up examination appointments to all children under five years of age who accompany a parent to a private dental appointment and reduced private fees for children aged six to 17.”