There will be no new NHS dental surgeries opening this month in Spalding.
The news has come as a blow to South Holland residents with no access to regular health service dentists.
Those already operating in the town don’t want to take on more patients, despite the possibility of funding.
JDSP Dental Ltd was poised to move into Winsover Road and had said the practice would be ready for patients in January.
There was also to be a January opening for Community Dental Services CiC at the Johnson Hospital. But neither of them will be opening in the immediate future which leaves residents with emergency cover only.
South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes said he would be pushing the NHS for answers as the lack of NHS dentists in the area was a major issue.
He suggested NHS England should give incentives for dentists to come here and practice as the area was so desperate.
“The news for the Johnson Hospital is particularly disappointing as we have good quality facilities and there is room to expand.
“Relocation is never easy and recruitment is a perennial problem here. Lincolnshire is a hidden gem and perhaps incentives will help,” he said.
But Spalding mum Nicola Raven said her 12-year-old daughter has never had six-monthly check-ups.
“We were on the waiting list for the A1 surgery at the Johnson, but it closed. We put our names down straight away for Winsover Road and now we’re not getting that. We need local dentists and it’s beyond appalling,” she said.
“It is a postcode lottery and it seems our welfare is not important.”
Her family have used the emergency service at the Johnson, but has no regular dental healthcare.
Healthwatch Lincolnshire is asking why existing surgeries will not expand.
“We have been waiting patiently for the new services to be up and running in early 2019, only now to be told these will not be available yet due to lack of dentists,” said chief executive Sarah Fletcher.
A spokesman for NHS England said it was working hard to resolve the situation.
“Despite both providers exploring a number of options, they have not been able to find the workforce required to operate these services safely from January 7,” said Jim Heys, locality director for NHS England in Lincolnshire.
“Discussions are now taking place as a priority with the companies, colleagues and other stakeholders to consider alternative ways of delivering a service.”
Community Dental Services CiC and other providers have confirmed continuation of urgent care which is currently in place.
