Shetland Dental Patients Advised to Wait 12 Months for a Check-Up
Dental patients registered with the surgery that was previously managed by Alan Owen, who retired last year, have been told that they should wait twelve months for a check-up. Previously, patients were advised to attend check-ups every six months.
Interim dental director at NHS Shetland, Pippa Arbon, is currently in the process of sending out letters to patients who were previously registered with the St Olaf Street surgery and it is believed that some patients may be asked to attend appointments at the Montfield or the Gilbert Bain Hospital in the future.
The practice closed after Mr Owen retired last year. The health service took over the surgery, which was due to re-open in October, but the re-opening was delayed due to NHS Scotland trying to replace equipment and instruments. The surgery opened in December, but some patients are still waiting to hear about the availability of check-ups.
Mrs Arbon confirmed that patients who were in urgent need of dental care would see a dentist as soon as possible, however, she admitted that patients with good oral health would be advised to wait for twelve months to have a check-up. Dentists will be responsible for advising patients on the frequency of their check-ups. Patients with a healthy mouth will be advised to attend annual check-ups, while patients with oral health problems or an increased risk of developing problems, will be advised to have check-ups more frequently. Mrs Arbon stressed that annual check-ups were “entirely appropriate” for patients with good oral health and no signs or symptoms of developing oral health conditions.
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