Resort still without its dedicated NHS dentist (From Western Telegraph)

Resort still without its dedicated NHS dentist

DEAR EDITOR, - Over the year, buying a new cooker, television, microwave or even a car, I sometimes consider that I have paid my money and not had the best of deals, but there again I needn't have paid my money.

Recently, while on Malta for a short holiday, I experienced that initial tenderness from a lower tooth that was usually a prelude to a full toothache and began thinking to dentistry back in Pembrokeshire.

Since 1961, I have been paying national insurance in the mistaken belief that healthcare was available to me just by picking up the telephone.

My previous National Health dentist, a good friend, had treated my family and myself extremely well over the years and sad was it the day he prematurely retired with no direct replacement.

Telephone calls to the NHS explained that there were places available with an NHS dentist in Ammanford and Llanelli and only after undue effort telephoning various authorities, totally unnecessary, were places made available at the recently-opened NHS Brynteg Dental Clinic, Carmarthen.

Despite letters to Parliament and assurances both from the Dyfed Health Authority and our MP, Tenby is still without its dedicated NHS dentist and easily accessible treatment for everyone.

Thousands of people have paid national insurance for decades in the misguided belief that the health service would look after them when required.

The service my family and I receive from Carmarthen is absolutely excellent and I am sure the large number of people who are lucky enough to have an NHS place at Brynteg Dental Clinic would agree wholeheartedly.

But consider the people, many elderly, who cannot drive or access Carmarthen easily.

These people, and there have to be large numbers - possibly thousands in Pembrokeshire alone without ongoing care - will in a few years cost the NHS an absolute fortune to correct, either in dental clinics or in hospitals.

So it would seem that I have paid my money, this time without choice, and yet again have not had a good deal.

W. JONES Selarang, Narberth Road, Tenby.