Greenock dentist closes as crisis in NHS service deepens

'Mydentist' in Greenock has confirmed that it is to shut due to a shortage of practitioners.

Shocked patients at the George Square practice contacted the Tele in a panic as they could now be forced to pay for private dental care.

My Dentist (Image: George Munro)

Many of the ten remaining practices in Inverclyde are closed completely to new NHS patients, while those that are still open have large waiting lists.

My Dentist in George Square (Image: George Munro)

We told in the aftermath of the pandemic dental services were in meltdown.

Former health board member Councillor Martin McCluskey blamed the Scottish Government for failing to act and says it is a disaster for local people. 

One shocked pensioner who is registered at mydentist said: "I couldn't believe it when we were told. I have been in that practice for 40 years. They told me they are closing in August.

"Since Covid it has been a mess and they have only had one dentist. But I don't know what I am going to do now."

Mydentist was one of  the 11 practices we revealed two years ago that was not able to take on any more patients on the NHS - while two had went completely private altogether.

A mydentist spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, due to a national shortage of dentists, we have been forced to make the difficult decision to close our practice on George Square in Greenock from August 10. 

"Over the next couple of months, our patients remain our priority and we urge them to attend all planned appointments before August 10 as normal. 

"We are writing to patients to inform them of the changes and to provide the best possible advice on alternative places that they may be able to access dental care.” 

Inverclyde is one of the areas with the most limited access to NHS dental care but is one of the most deprived areas in the country.

Crosshill Dentist in Port Glasgow is one of the only practices to remain solely for NHS patients, but its books are full.

A Crosshill spokesperson said: "We have a long waiting list but we know how desperate the situation is and are looking at ways that we can help people. We have already had calls from patients looking for a new dentist."

Belhaven in Port Glasgow which has 10,000 patients says it is not taking on new NHS patients and their lists for private care won't open until August.

It was a similar picture elsewhere in Gourock with NHS lists closed at Weir and McClafferty, and the Gourock Dental Partnership is completely private. 

In Greenock, while myDentist is closing, the nearby Ardgowan is closed to new NHS patients

Councillor McCluskey said: "This is a very worrying situation for patients and it is vital that people in Inverclyde have access to an NHS dentist.

"It now appears that the crisis is getting worse and not better. I will be demanding an immediate briefing from the Inverclyde HSCP on the situation. This has been something that we have raised at the integrated joint board.

"There are problems right across the board with this but there is a particular problem in Inverclyde and there has been for some time.

"The Scottish Government must take the blame for this, they have failed to tackle the crisis in dental service and we need to know what action they plan to take."

NHS Greater Glasgow has set up pilot clinics for emergency care in Greenock Health Centre.

Inverclyde has also been placed on a priority list for funding to open new practices through a government funded initiative.

A NHS GGC spokesperson said: "We were aware of this particular practice’s decision to close and have been in communication with them.

"We are also aware of the wider challenges accessing NHS general dental services within the Inverclyde area and are continually reviewing potential options with dental colleagues to address this with a view to improving access in the future.

"NHS GGC is working closely with colleagues within Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership to consider options to support access to emergency dental care locally, and they are currently running a pilot clinic at Greenock Health Centre one day per week, to provide emergency care for both registered and unregistered patients.

"This will allow them to scope out the demand and need for this type of service within this area."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is improving access to NHS dentistry in Scotland, following the significant interruption posed by the pandemic, and has implemented significant NHS dental payment reform following extensive discussion with the dental sector.

“It is unfortunate that the practice has made the decision to close, however we are working closely with the Health Board to ensure continuity of care to patients.

"We recognise that access remains challenging in Inverclyde and continue to make tailored funding available for dentists practising, or looking to practice, in the area.”