by Rebecca Hannant
Hedon residents have raised concerns about access to dental care after Hedon Dental Practice announced it would stop providing NHS treatments from June 30.
The decision has left many patients worried about how they and their families will access affordable dental treatment in the future.
In a letter to patients, the practice said it has long offered both NHS and private services, but rising business costs and years of underfunding for NHS dental care had made the current system unsustainable. They also said recruitment difficulties had played a role in the decision.
In a statement, Rhian Bartley, practice manager at Hedon Dental Practice, said: “Historically, Hedon Dental Practice has been able to offer both NHS and private services to its patient base. However, following a thorough review of our NHS contract and services, we have made the difficult decision to cease providing NHS treatments as of June 30, 2025.
“Clinicians are self-employed and with ever-increasing business costs and after years of government underfunding, the service for NHS patients is often kept afloat by cross-subsidising it from private work.
“In this case, it is simply not economically sustainable. Despite our best efforts over the past year to recruit additional NHS dentists, we have been unable to do so. This has left us with no viable option but to transition to a fully private practice. Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause.”
“New analysis by our professional body, the British Dental Association, has revealed the struggling NHS service is now being kept afloat by a cross-subsidy from private work. The BDA’s assessment of NHS treatment costs demonstrates how thousands of NHS dentists are now delivering some NHS treatment at a loss and practices cannot fill vacancies.”
Hedon Dental Practice said arrangements were in place for adult NHS patients currently undergoing treatment to complete their course before the June deadline. Patients have also been provided with information about locating other practices accepting NHS patients.
Those affected have been invited to remain with the practice on a private basis. The team says they are available to discuss treatment fees and payment plan options with transparency.
Despite these reassurances, residents across Hedon say the move will have a serious impact. Many are concerned about the affordability of private care, while others worry about the limited availability of NHS dentists across the wider region. Several people have shared their experiences on social media, with reports of waiting lists of up to two years at other NHS practices.
Hedon resident Joanna Gardner said: “I was with Hedon dentist over 45 years and was then informed by email that they are no longer accepting NHS patients. I have been left with a lack of NHS dentists available to change to. I think these decisions are all about profit.
“I have looked on the NHS dentist list for new referrals and there aren’t many. I reckon they will all be going private before long. I am also concerned that there seems to be no thought for our children’s oral health. I think there needs to be a dentist visiting schools once again. I think it is paramount in these times – at least our children would be seen.”
Concerned residents say they have contacted Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart for help.
Mr Stuart said: “I’m distressed to hear about the decision by Hedon Dental Practice to cease providing NHS treatments. People in Hedon, and everywhere, need access to dentistry. I’ve written to the practice to make sure they look after their NHS patients, and don’t leave anyone in the lurch without any dental care.
“Dental care is a huge problem in communities like ours and I’ve been trying to improve dentistry in towns and villages across Beverley and Holderness for years. While you can always get urgent dental care through the NHS, dentists always tell us that prevention is the best cure.
“So, I want to see affordable dental care as readily available to everyone, whether they live in Hedon, Hilston or Hull. Please, if you’re affected by dentistry in Hedon or anywhere else, let me know at grahamstuart.com/dentistry.”