Concern over lack of NHS dentists in the town

CONCERN has been raised over the lack of available NHS dentists in the town, with some people travelling across the county to try and find suitable dental care. At the time of going to press, no Westbury dental surgeries were taking on new NHS patients.

With a similar picture across the country, people are struggling to secure an NHS dentist local to them. People have taken to social media to show their concern over the lack of NHS dentistry available in Westbury.

Local MP, Andrew Murrison, previously said that the lack of NHS dentists is a regular feature of his constituency mailbag and he has suggested that the situation can be attributed to how dentists are paid.

There are further concerns that those who do not drive are being alienated due to poor public transport links, as people search the county for an NHS dentist.

One resident who moved last year from Calne, has been unable to secure an NHS dentist appointment in Westbury. Due to being in severe pain, Emily Fulgoni, pictured, has since resorted to seeking an appointment at her previous practice in Calne, but says that due to poor public transport links, this has become a “logistical nightmare”.

“I am currently registered at a dentist practice in Calne, where I used to live, despite being a Westbury resident, as none of the local practices were taking on NHS patients at the time of looking,” she said. “I don’t drive, and I am on a low income as well as being in full time work, so getting to appointments in another town is a nightmare.

“There’s plenty of others in the town who don’t drive and aren’t registered elsewhere, so I really feel for them.”

Emily also says that since struggling to be seen by an NHS dentist locally, her dental problems have worsened, resulting in more work needing to be done.

“As I wasn’t able to get to the practice in Calne for so long, the issue with my wisdom tooth has now caused damage to the tooth next to it and I’ve now got to have both teeth removed. If I had been able to register at a practice in Westbury, I could’ve got to an appointment by myself, addressed the matter a lot sooner, and only lost one tooth instead of two.

“It says a lot that I consider myself lucky to even be registered at a dentist because, despite it being so far away, some people can’t get registered at all!”

Whilst there is currently no availability for NHS dentists in the town, Westbury Downs Dental Care, managed by South Cliff Dental Care, has suggested that NHS spaces may appear at their practice by April.