THOUSANDS more Chepstow dental patients face having to pay private treatment fees because a second practice in the town is withdrawing NHS provision.

Fairlight Dental Practice has followed Boscobel House practice in opting out of the new dental contract, which is introduced in April.

Around 17,000 Chepstow area patients will be affected by the two withdrawals, but Monmouthshire Local Health Board (LHB) remains confident of replacing lost NHS cover by the summer, and wants anxious patients to get in touch.

The LHB hopes to bring in two new practices. One could be at Chepstow Community Hospital, the other in the Thornwell area.

Boscobel House and Fairlight practices have written to their patients, offering private care from April 1. Charges will also apply to children because, though both practices applied for children-only NHS contracts, the requests were turned down by the LHB.

LHB medical director Dr Laurence Hamilton-Kirkwood explained that, as commissioner of Monmouthshire's NHS dental services, it is responsible for providing for the whole population.

"It is important certain groups are not disadvantaged by decisions to target a limited part of our population," he said.

"Although children are very important, so are the increasing numbers of older people in Monmouthshire who would not be treated (on the NHS) by awarding children-only contracts.

"Children-only contracts could also be seen as an attempt to pressure parents into signing up for private dental care, and would split up families where parents cannot afford private fees. This is not allowed because it is discriminatory."

Dr Hamilton-Kirkwood said although neither practice has felt able to give the LHB the names of all their patients, those registered need to be aware of NHS alternatives.

Across Monmouthshire, 8,000 extra NHS places have been negotiated, while proposals for two new NHS practices for Chepstow are "well advanced".

Concerned patients may contact Monmouthshire LHB on 01600 710000. Those wishing to register with new NHS services in Chepstow, which should be available by the summer, should write to: Monmouthshire LHB, Singleton Court Business Park, Wonastow Road, Monmouth, NP25 5JA; fax 01600 710057; e-mail enquiries@monmouthshirelhb.wales.nhs.uk