Dentists 'stymied' in attempts to get NHS contract

Bosses at a new dental practice in east Kent have said they are being "stymied" in their attempts to secure an NHS contract, despite a "huge need" for appointments.

Nightingale Dental Surgery in Margate believes it could see thousands of patients a year if permitted to provide NHS services.

It said its pleas have "fallen on deaf ears" and it "cannot gain a contract for love nor money".

NHS Kent and Medway said it was "in the process of evaluating expressions of interest from dental providers".

Nightingale opened in February in Seacole Way and is run by Clare Henderson and Teresa Kelsall.

Although a private practice, the pair want to provide NHS appointments too, to help meet the demand in the area.

Ms Kelsall told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the opportunity to bid for contracts "rarely comes around" and they are "unsure when they will be able to put their case forward".

She said: "A lot of the dentists in the area are corporations and they mop up a huge amount of contracts for the actual surgeries and it's really difficult to get in there and try to push our way in.

"We only want a small contract, we're not asking for the world but we would like to provide NHS dentistry because I feel it's really needed."

Ms Kelsall said they had been in touch with the NHS since October, and had also contacted the head of the local integrated care board, who was unable to shed light on when bidding would open.

NHS Kent and Medway said millions had been ploughed in over the last two years into increasing dental provision.

A spokesperson added: "Our focus is on improving patient access to routine NHS dental care where it is needed most.

"We have invested £4.7m over two years in increasing dental provision across Kent and Medway through new dental contacts and expanding existing ones.

""We have recently offered additional activity in seven areas, including Thanet, and are in the process of evaluating expressions of interest from dental providers."

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