A dental practice in Crowborough, East Sussex, has announced it will cease providing dental services to asylum seekers housed at a nearby Home Office migrant camp. Mermaid Dental Care stated that the decision was made after careful consideration of its service provision and in response to concerns raised by local residents.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the practice explained that its primary commitment is to its team and the local community it has served for many years. The move comes amid a nationwide shortage of NHS appointments, which the practice noted has contributed to tensions in the town. Mermaid Dental Care also reported that its staff had experienced repeated abuse, both in person and over the phone, from members of the local community.
The dental practice's decision followed ongoing controversy in Crowborough concerning plans by the Home Office to house up to 600 single male migrants at an Army Training Camp on the Ashdown Forest. This camp has been the site of weekly protests since the first migrants arrived in January, after the site was deemed unsafe for school-age cadets.
The announcement from Mermaid Dental Care triggered varied reactions from Crowborough residents. Many expressed support for the decision, with some calling it a "common sense decision" and others stating that NHS-funded treatments should prioritize those who have contributed to the system. However, some critics suggested the practice's move was a "knee-jerk response" to public scrutiny.
Mermaid Dental Care clarified that it had initially worked to provide additional support to the Crowborough Training Camp without impacting its regular services. However, the reported level of local concern and behavior directed towards the practice's staff influenced the decision. The practice emphasized its duty of care to its team, necessitating the prioritization of their safety and well-being.
The NHS will reportedly look into alternative services for the camp. Mermaid Dental Care is now accepting new NHS patients, but has warned that longer wait times are to be expected due to nationwide recruitment challenges.