A Sandbach dental practice has announced it's turning private after changing hands and getting ready to move into new premises.

Patients at the former M.P. Meredith Dental Surgery have turned up at their appointments currently taking palce at Ashfields Primary Care Centre to be told the practice is turning private.

One, who did not want to be named said: "I went to have a check up recently only to be told a letter had been sent out explaining what was happening.

"I hadn't receive the letter so I was handed a printed one. It came as a bit of a shock. I've been a patient here for nearly 20 years. It'll now be a case of getting used to paying more for my dental care."

The practice, which has become Hampton Dental Care, is currently based in rooms at Ashfields Primary Care Centre but is due to move into new premises in High Street Sandbach in February, following a conversion of part of the old Lloyds Bank.

In a letter, Hampton Dental Care said: "The dedicated team here has been a proud provider of high quality dental care under the umbrella of the NHS for many years.

"NHS dentistry is now facing serious challenges. A chronic lack of interest in NHS dental care by successive governments now leaves dental practices across the UK unable to recruit dentists willing to provide NHS adult dental care.

Hampton Dental Care move into their new premises in High Street, Sandbach in February 2026. (Photo: Nub News)

"We have been actively trying to recruit additional dentists to support our NHS provision for adults and to ensure the sustainability of the dental practice into the future. Unfortunately, despite repeated efforts, we have been unable to fill these positions.

"Because of this, from 1 February 2026 we will no longer have the capacity to see patients aged 18 and over on the NHS."

Hampton Dental Care say however that they will still be providing dental care on the NHS for children.

"While many practices have stepped away from NHS contracts altogether, we believe it's important to continue supporting the health of local children and young people," they said.

"We know that NHS dentistry for under 18s is vital - not only to protect their oral health but also to build good dental habits for life. That's why we have chosen to continue offering NHS dental care for children.

"By doing so, we're making sure that families in Sandbach still have a trusted local practice where their childrn can receive free NHS care from familiar faces ...."

The letter adds: "We understand that moving from NHS to private care is a change and we want to make that transition as easy and affordable as possible.

"At Hampton Dental Care, our ethos has always been "the highest quality dental treatment at fair, transparent prices giving you a better value without compromising quality."