If you're an NHS dentist patient have you been told about this?

[sprinklin]

I am due my usual NHS checkup, but when I called today to book the appointment they said I would only be able to book a private one until they find out whether their funding is re-confirmed in April. I Googled, and I'm wondering if this could be the issue: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-67866257

However, I'm in SW London, not the West Midlands.

Has anyone else been impacted?

This isn't unheard of I'm afraid (NHS dentist here). The funding is renewed for a practice every April so it might be they have to wait till then to see if there is NHS capacity.

I'm booked in to be seen at end of the month (from my last check) so hopefully I can be seen

Me too!

Just had a check up and have more treatment booked at the end of the month, no mention of funding difficulties.

We have to be seen by a hygienist now for check ups. Can't get near the dentist unless your teeth are falling out.

I have an NHS dentist, and have never heard of this to be honest. In my area, there's very few dental practices, who have NHS dentists or are accepting new patients. My dental practice is actually private, but I am an existing NHS patient, so they've kept me on (and all the existing NHS patients) but no longer accept new NHS patients. However, I'm not naive enough to assume this will continue forever, they could request we change to private at any time.

My SE London dentists sacked all nhs patients a couple of years ago and gone fully private except for under 6s attending with a privately paying adult.

I've been with this dentist for over 20 years and there has never been an issue before. If they've taken on more NHS patients than they can get funding for, surely it should be last in, first out?

The receptionist couldn't explain the issue, so I will have to ask the dentist when I go for my (private) appointment. It was only about £3 more than the NHS appointment so I went ahead and booked it. Hopefully that won't set a precedent.

@sprinklin it could be they're used all their NHS capacity until the next financial year. They may be waiting to hear if their local ICB are allowing them to overperform. In the meantime they're offering check ups for around about the fee they get paid by the NHS.