A DENTIST in Wrexham say it is with "deep regret" that it has handed back it's NHS contract due to it being "unworkable".

Dant Y Coed dental practice in Coedpoeth confirmed that it resigned the NHS contract on Tuesday (September 17). 

The practice, which holds 12,000 patients cited the reasons behind the decision were that the current contract was "unworkable" and "broken". 

Current pressures on the practice has resulted in a waiting list of up to two years for patients, with 1,100 patients awaiting appointments. 

The practice will end it's contract on January 31 next year, and they are in talks with the NHS to continue being able to see children under 18 free of charge. 

In addition, plans are being put in place to draw up affordable care plans to try and keep some patients at the practice.

A spokesperson for Dant Y Coed said the decision was not taken lightly but they were left with no choice.

They added: "After many years of provision of NHS dentistry, it is with deep regret that Dant Y Coed dental practice has reluctantly decided to return the contract to the NHS.

"This is not a decision that we have taken lightly. We’ve been a practice for a long time but the contract has become unworkable.

"We’ve got a three month notice, but we’re working that a bit longer as we’ve got a responsibility to patients. Our NHS contract will end on January 31.

"We’ve got a waiting list of around one to two years just for a check up, there’s just no capacity. There’s 1,100 waiting for appointments too.

"New dentists don’t want to work on NHS contracts either so recruitment is a big issue.

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"We formally resigned the contract yesterday (September 17). We’ve got around 12,000 patients and doing this makes us very sad but unfortunately we’ve had no choice.

"We will of course explain to our patients, but we want them to know that it’s certainly not for the money, we just cannot continue on the NHS contract. We’re currently working to make affordable plans for patients to continue with us. We’ll also continue to see children under 18 for free.

"Because people haven’t been to the dentist for a long time, they’re requiring more and more work, whether it be removals or fillings, that in turn requires a lot of appointments and it is impossible to achieve the targets on the contract. Once that happens, the NHS reduces the funding.

"We can’t fault the people at the NHS, unfortunately it’s just the system is broken."

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has been approached for comment.