Dolgellau patients to lose NHS dentist after mydentist confirms closure
Patients in Dolgellau are set to lose out on access to NHS dentistry in the town after mydentist confirmed the imminent closure of its Mervinian House practice.
The practice, which has more than 4,000 patients on its books, will close at the end of March as a result of a shortage of dentists. The chain has been trying to recruit a new dentist for around 2 years without any success, and now patients face a trip to Welshpool, Porthmadog or Penrhyndeudraeth to see an NHS dentist.
Clinical director at mydentist, Steve Williams, said that the practice will have to close as a result of a shortage of dentists in the area. There aren’t currently enough dentists working in rural Wales, and attempts to find suitable candidates for the vacant positions in Dolgellau have proven unsuccessful. The firm has been trying to recruit a dentist for two years, and it’s simply not possible to run the surgery any longer.
Deputy mayor Delwyn Evans described the news as a “great shame” and said that it was “very sad” that the town will lose the practice. It took a lot of effort to get a dental practice in Dolgellau a few years ago, and now the council and dental patients are back to square one.
The news will be particularly worrying for patients who find it difficult to get out and about, with the nearest practice a bus or car journey away.
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