NHS dentists on the Isle of Wight have pulled out of a national scheme to provide additional sessions, as bosses say staff are 'physically, mentally and emotionally drained'.

On the Island, dental practices are at capacity, fighting what Healthwatch calls the Isle of Wight's 'biggest health inequality.'

A shocking report from the watchdog found almost half of Islanders are finding it difficult to get treatment.

Practices were closed for nearly four months at the start of the Covid pandemic, which added to the backlog of patients already seeking treatment.

The number of people waiting for treatment remains high — with some forced to find private treatment due to the long waiting list or lack of practices accepting patients.

Alison Cross, the South East's senior dental commissioning manager for NHS England, told the Isle of Wight Council funding had been offered to practices to run additional hours outside their normal timeslots.

Across the country, practices were offered £400 to provide three more hours of work, in line with the British Dental Guild rate, as well as an enhancement for working outside of core hours.

Despite some Island practices initially taking up the deal and offering sessions, they all pulled out within weeks.

She told the council: "It has to be recognised that many practices are struggling to do these additional hours to help us out as the majority of staff are physically, mentally and emotionally drained.

"The offer is still there for practices who feel they have the ability to offer the extra sessions, our doors are open, but at the moment none have come forward to say they are able to do this."

One of the major issues facing the Island, Ms Cross said, is the recruitment of dentists and their willingness to stay here, or travel across The Solent.

An oral health needs assessment is being carried out across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight which will highlight the issues and allow the NHS to build into the gaps in service.

The assessment started last month and is expected to be completed early next year.

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