A County Durham woman has revealed that she was deceived into spending £106 on an appointment with a purported “dentist,” whom she later discovered was a fraud, following a frustrating two-year search for an available NHS dentist.
Jacqui Nicholson, aged 62, from County Durham, arranged two separate appointments, each costing £53, for herself and her husband, after a seemingly trustworthy recommendation appeared on her social media timeline promoting a particular dental practice’s website.
Jacqui alleges that the website was convincingly designed, featuring the NHS logo, options for pre-payment, and a detailed confirmation of the appointment sent via email.
She reported: “It appeared so authentic. I even Google Mapped the location. With so many scams, it’s increasingly difficult to distinguish between what’s genuine and what isn’t. Don’t fall for it.”
This alarming trend comes amid claims from dental professionals that con artists are “preying” on individuals who are in dire need of securing appointments at NHS practices, exacerbating an already distressing situation for many patients.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has raised concerns about scammers exploiting desperate individuals with fake websites that claim to offer NHS dental appointments, which are available only through a deceptive pre-payment system.
BDA chairman Eddie Crouch has stated that there is an urgent need for the Government to address this pressing issue. In the lead-up to July’s general election, Labour has pledged, in its manifesto, to establish 700,000 new urgent and emergency dental appointments to alleviate such concerns.
“Criminals are now exploiting patients who are left with no viable options,” Mr. Crouch emphasized. “We need immediate action and bold commitments from Labour regarding NHS dentistry. Fraudsters will continue to seize genuine opportunities as long as the new Government’s promises remain unfulfilled.”
A spokesperson from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board advised, “When searching for NHS dentists, individuals can utilize our resources to verify that they are engaging with a legitimate provider that offers NHS dental services.”
The BDA has also reached out to Chancellor Rachel Reeves following last week’s Budget announcement, which stated that employers’ national insurance contributions would increase from April. They cautioned that this adjustment could “significantly add to the financial pressures” faced by dental practices, noting that these establishments are primarily small businesses.
The BDA commented: “Practices are running on empty, struggling to recruit or retain staff. The substantial reform this service so desperately requires must be coupled with fair and sustainable funding.”
Scammers have reportedly targeted individuals in regions including Essex, Devon, Merseyside, Norfolk, and Suffolk, with some victims losing as much as £319.10 for nothing more than deceptive promises of care.
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**Interview with Jacqui Nicholson: A Victim of Dental Scam in County Durham**
**Editor:** Welcome, Jacqui. Thank you for joining us today to share your experience. Can you start by telling us what led you to seek dental care?
**Jacqui Nicholson:** Thank you for having me. I’ve been looking for an NHS dentist for over two years, and it’s been really frustrating. I was in need of dental care for both myself and my husband, and finding an available appointment felt impossible. When I saw a recommendation on social media for a dental practice that seemed legitimate, I decided to give it a shot.
**Editor:** So, you found what you thought was a trustworthy option?
**Jacqui Nicholson:** Yes, the website looked incredibly well-designed and even featured the NHS logo. It offered pre-payment options, and I received confirmation emails that made it seem very authentic. I actually Google Mapped the location to ensure it was real.
**Editor:** That sounds very convincing. When did you realize something was wrong?
**Jacqui Nicholson:** After the appointment, I tried to contact the practice for follow-up care—but there was no response. That’s when I started to get suspicious. I did some digging and discovered that the website was a scam, and I had effectively handed over £106 to a fraudster.
**Editor:** That’s horrifying. What advice would you give to others who might be in a similar situation trying to find dental care?
**Jacqui Nicholson:** I’d urge anyone in need of dental care to be extremely cautious. Check if the practice is registered, look for reviews, and avoid pre-payment unless you’re absolutely sure. Scammers are preying on those who are desperate for appointments, and it’s vital to remain vigilant.
**Editor:** It’s a troubling reality, especially when combined with the ongoing issues with NHS dental access. What do you think the government should do about this?
**Jacqui Nicholson:** There needs to be immediate action to ensure that people have better access to genuine NHS dental services. It’s unacceptable that individuals like myself are being taken advantage of when we’re already struggling to find care.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jacqui, for sharing your story and insights. We hope that your experience raises awareness about this urgent issue.
**Jacqui Nicholson:** Thank you for having me. I truly hope my story helps someone else avoid a similar fate.
