A Cheshire-based dentist who was denied an NHS contract, forcing him to switch to the private sector, is now charging less for dental treatment than the NHS .
Andrew Brown, head of the Grappenhall Dental Practice in Cheshire, was told he would have to run a private dental clinic because of a lack of funds at the local primary care trust 18 months ago.
He currently charges his patients £12.50 for a routine check-up, compared to the £15.90 charge by the NHS .
He said: "I assumed I was going to stay NHS but the PCT decided they couldn't afford me an NHS contract ."
"They were forcing me to go private which I didn't want to do and my patients didn't want me to do."
Brown said that another like-minded dentist had just been recruited by his practice to help deal with the high number of patients, but the problem lies with the fact that "many people who need treatment are exempt from NHS charges".
"I can't take them because I won't get the money back from the PCT, but if you would normally pay then you can come to us," Brown added.
"I was very willing to stay on the NHS but the PCT wouldn't allow me."
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