Bupa stops NHS services at Hucknall practice due to staff shortages
Bupa Dental has confirmed a temporary suspension of NHS dental services at its Hucknall practice due to staff shortages.
Patients at the Portland Road practice have been informed of the changes. From November, patients will only be able to access private dental treatment. In a statement, Bupa Dental explained that a shortage of dentists is to blame, with four long-standing vacancies at the Hucknall clinic.
A spokesperson stressed that Bupa Dental is doing everything to try to recruit new NHS dentists, but highlighted national shortages, which are making it extremely difficult to find dentists to fill positions. The spokesperson added that teams are aware of the challenges facing patients in Nottinghamshire, with very few practices taking on NHS patients.
The team is hoping to restart NHS dental services as soon as possible and patients will be informed of any developments in the coming weeks.
One patient affected by the news said that it was “quite literally a kick in the teeth” during a cost of living crisis, which means that the majority of people can’t afford to go private.
There is now only one NHS dental provider in Hucknall.
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