Suffolk dental patients say they are feeling forced to go private as there is "no room at the inn" as the number of practices dwindles further.
John Hayes and Marc James were registered with A W Brown in Victoria Street, Felixstowe, before receiving a letter explaining that from April 1 the practice would no longer be offering free care on the NHS due to a 'chronic lack of investment in NHS dentistry by successive Governments'.
Cleaning supervisor and dental campaigner, Marc James, 52, had been a patient at A W Brown for more than 15 years alongside his wife Lyndsie, 47, his daughter Alanis, 23, and son Kurt, 21.
"We were told by letter that we could no longer receive NHS treatment with them," he said.
"They offered us the chance to join their patient membership plan on private care instead.
"All of us have been looking for another NHS surgery in the area but there's no room at the inn.
"So we're being forced into private healthcare.
"Our standard of living has definitely dropped recently and this is just one step too far for us.
"In this day and age, how can we not have an NHS dentist?
"The government needs to start putting money into dentistry."
Retiree John Hayes, 66, lives with his wife of the same age in the Trimleys.
He and his wife had been patients at the surgery since 2018, while his mother in law of 93 was also registered with the practice.
"We can't find another NHS dentist in the area for love nor money," he said.
"So we don't have a choice but to go private.
"Luckily, we can just about afford it but not everyone can.
"My mother in law has decided not to pay for dentistry - as I think will be the case with many older people.
"They will then be forced back onto the A&E when it all goes wrong."
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