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Dentist forced to stop free slots for children


PARENTS face huge dental bills as practices are limited on the number of patients they can see in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.


One surgery has written to par-


ents saying it has stopped provid- ing free NHS treatment to youngsters with “great sadness”, as it is no longer financially viable. Roseacre Cottage Dental said a


once-sustainable £10 loss incurred during a child’s half-hour appoint- ment has suddenly jumped to a £70 deficit. A letter sent to parents stated:


“We would obviously be unable to sustain this financial hit for long before the practice was forced to close.” The British Dental Association


(BDA) says that dentists, most of whom are small businesses, are under huge pressure since they re- opened in June after lockdown was eased. With decontamination costs, so-


cial distancing and a massive hike in personal protective equipment (PPE) prices, dentists are able to see roughly one third of their normal clientele, said a BDA spokesman. Mum Laura Procter, whose


daughter Amelia (8) was a Roseacre Cottage patient, both pic- tured, said: “We had such trouble finding an NHS practice two years ago and then this happens. I don’t blame the practice and I’m re- signed to it, but it is a shame.” The BDA spokesman added:


“Successive governments have not addressed the financial anomalies of NHS contracts. Dentists must take on a set number of patients but will receive the same amount of money per unit of dental activity


Laura Procter faces higher dental bills for her daughter Amelia, due to strict


guidelines imposed due to Coronavirus


whether they provide one filling or six. Covid-19 has been disastrous for dentists and as small busi- nesses, they had to shut their doors for three months with no income but all the overheads. “Now they have come back, they


can only fit in about a third of the patients, but have to decontami- nate regularly, exercise social dis-


tancing measures and pay for in- credibly expensive PPE. “It’s not like a GP surgery which


is guaranteed a level of funding. So many dentists are at risk of going bust.” The cost of PPE, says the BDA,


has rocketed by 600-1,000% due to the high demand and lack of sup- ply.


We’re all doing our best


RADHA Patel, manager of the Bearsted Dental Studio in Cavendish Way, which does not have an NHS con- tract, said her husband, Kartik, is the sole dentist, allowing them to use two treat- ment rooms. Each must be decontaminated


for at least one hour after the pa- tient’s appointment ends. Mrs Patel added: “It means we


can swap over and so we have been able to provide about a 75% service, which is better than most. “But we are a small village den-


tal practice with one practitioner. I’d urge the public to be please patient with us and be assured we’re all doing our best.”


Speed limit plan backed in Fant


THE whole Fant area of Maid- stone, which has 3,500 houses, could soon be covered by a 20mph speed limit under a new Government finance scheme. The proposal won support


from several councillors at the July meeting of Maidstone Joint Transportation Board, and it al- ready has the backing of a 1,000- strong public petition organised by Labour councillors for Fant Ward. One of the councillors, Paul


Harper, told the board the 20mph area would be fast and economic to set up, with few signs needed for the compact area between Tonbridge Road and River Med- way. Maidstone Lib Dem coun- cillors also support the move. Cllr Harper told the Downs


Mail residents of this area with narrow roads were very con- cerned about speeding traffic, much of it on a rat-run in and out of the town centre. Government has allocated


£6.4m to Kent to be used within weeks to create 20mph areas and cycle routes. A KCC Highways officer re-


port to the board indicated a 20mph zone was being investi- gated for the Fremlins Walk area of the town centre, to help shop- pers, cafes and restaurants. But councillors backed the


Fant area, seeing a greater need, simplicity and financial econ- omy. The decision will be made by Kent County Council.


News Police shut


down rave MORE than 100 people were sent home from an illegal rave in Barming on July 11. Police were alerted to a music


event in Springwood Road at around 11pm. DJ and sound equipment were seized from the property, and the party-goers sent home. A Kent Police spokesman said:


“Although lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, it remains ille- gal to socialise in groups of more than six people outside your own household. “Those intent on holding unli-


censed music events are poten- tially committing criminal offences and risk arrest and their equipment being seized.”


Burglar jailed


A MAIDSTONE man has been jailed for three years after bur- gling seven homes in a week. Jordan Macdonald (23), of Re-


gency Place, stole cash and jew- ellery from homes in Hawkhurst, Lamberhurst, Maidstone and Mereworth last year. The crime spree started on


September 17, 2019, but Macdon- ald left DNA at two crime scenes, one sample on a rock and another on a brick which were used to smash windows. He admitted the burglaries and


a breach of bail at Maidstone Crown Court.


Charity golf


A GOLF club has raised more than £8,500 for Yalding addiction and homelessness charity, Ken- ward Trust. Knole Park Golf Club at


Sevenoaks raised £8,506 for the trust, which was badly hit when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and caused a serious drop in fundraising income. Chief executive Penny Williams


said: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of Knole Park Golf Club. These funds will go towards updating our dining room for our residents to create a more social space.”


Play area risk


A CHILDREN’S play area had to be shut after broken glass was found there. The playground at The Green,


Bearsted, was closed earlier on July 3 and the parish council claimed the mess had been “in- tentionally made”.


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