Patients scramble to find a new dentist, as Bupa confirms summer closures
Thousands of patients are looking for a new dentist after Bupa Dental Care revealed it was closing over eighty UK practices.
The company, which currently operates more than 400 clinics across the country, is shutting or merging 85 practices, with many set to close this summer. Patients at several of the affected practices have been informed that surgeries will close for good at the end of June.
A spokesperson for Bupa Dental Care said that increased costs, recruitment problems and challenges facing the dental industry were to blame for the decision, which had not been taken lightly.
NHS contracts will be handed over to local groups, which will be responsible for commissioning new services. Bupa Dental Care has also confirmed that it will be contacting staff impacted by the closures with a view to redeploying them to other practices or parts of the business.
There are already significant shortages of NHS dental places in most parts of the country and the news announced by Bupa Dental Care has left many patients feeling disappointed and worried. Some people have already shared their concerns on social media and councillors and MPs in some areas have voiced their opinions.
In the summer of 2022, a BBC investigation revealed that around 90% of UK practices were not accepting new adult NHS patients and there are fears that access issues have got worse since. As Bupa Dental Care prepares to shut over 80 practices in the coming months, patients are understandably anxious about finding a new dentist.
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