Thousands more NHS dental patients to be deregistered in Dumfries and Galloway
Thousands of dental patients are set to be deregistered from an NHS dental practice in Dumfries and Galloway.
The owners of the Blue Door Dental Practice have contacted NHS Dumfries and Galloway, confirming that 5,000 people will be removed from the register on May 31st 2023. The news follows similar updates from other practices in the region over the last year.
Patients under the age of 18 will remain on the practice list and have access to NHS dental services but adults will have to choose between moving to a different practice and paying for dental care.
There is currently a significant shortage of NHS dental places in Dumfries and Galloway and the update from the Blue Door Dental Practice will be a bitter blow for NHS patients. There are fears that most will have to pay for private treatment or travel out of the area to see an NHS dentist.
Valerie White, director of public health at NHS Dumfries and Galloway, said that the trust is working tirelessly to try to encourage dentists to stay with the NHS. There is a lack of dentists who want to work in the region and this is making it increasingly difficult to fill vacancies. The trust is in constant conversation with the government and is trying to boost capacity.
Patients who don’t have a dentist and need emergency dental treatment can contact the urgent helpline on 0845 602 6417.
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