NHS Dumfries and Galloway has now received details on changes at a dental practice which will mean more people in the region being de-registered as NHS dental patients.
Blue Door Dental Practice in Dumfries have written to patients, informing them of their plans.
Of the five dentists who will be providing services at the practice as of next year, three have chosen to move into a private monthly dental plan as of March 1 2023 for adults aged 18 years and above.
Two of the five dentists will meanwhile continue to provide services under NHS dental contract.
All children under 18 years will remain registered as patients at Blue Door and continue to be offered NHS dental care, including those who are registered with the three associates who are moving to a private business plan.
As a consequence of these developments, approximately 5044 adult patients registered for NHS services at Blue Door will be de-registered as of March 24.
Those patients losing their registration at Blue Door will now need to seek alternative provision.
At present, there are no dentists within the region accepting new NHS registrations, meaning that the alternatives are to secure registration outwith the region or access dental care privately.
Valerie White – Director of Public Health said “The situation regarding access to NHS dental services in Dumfries and Galloway is a significant concern and one the Board is taking very seriously.
“We continue work to encourage and support dentists to provide NHS general dental services and are working closely with Scottish Government colleagues on these matters.
“However, lack of dentists coming to work in the region is a key issue, and challenges in dental workforce is being seen across the UK.”
Anyone who is not registered with a dentist and requires emergency dental care can access that by contacting the Dental Helpline on 0845 602 6417.
