Man banned from dentist after missing appointment...13 years ago

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Businessman Alex, 25, was booked in for a much-needed check-up at the First Choice NHS dental clinic in Southsea, Hants, after more than a decade since his last one. But shocked Alex was struck off after dentist Chris Martin rapped him for his non-attendance as a schoolboy.

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Alex Crook says he has been banned from his dentist for missing an appointment when he was 12

Alex, from Portsmouth, said: "I was stunned when I turned up a little late for an appointment to be told I had been struck off because of my 'history'.

"I have not been a patient at the dentist since I was 16 and apparently the appointment I missed was in 1994 when I was 12.

"I have spoken to my mum and dad and they cannot remember the missed appointment but it must have been for a good reason.

"It is like being given a speeding ticket 13 years later. No wonder so many people find it difficult to get dental treatment.

"I bet if I was paying as a private patient it would have been a completely different story."

Since the snub Alex has been forced to fork out for private treatment. Alex added: "I have scoured the phone book and there are no other NHS dentists in the area who are taking patients.

"I have had to go private as a last resort this was my last chance."

Practice manager Wendy Lane refused to comment on the incident due to patient confidentiality rules.

A spokesperson for Portsmouth Primary Health Care Trust said: "We cannot comment on individual cases but it is worth pointing out dentists act as contractors and have their own policies.

"We as a care trust would only get involved if the customer followed the complaints procedure."

A damning survey of 5,200 patients released earlier this week revealed that many are finding it increasingly difficult to find treatment on the NHS and are having to resort to DIY dentistry at home.