By Hugh Boag
Arran is to get a new NHS dentist, it was confirmed this week.
After a challenging process, NHS Ayrshire & Arran said it had recruited a new dentist for a public dental service at Lamlash Clinic. They will take up their post in January 2024.
The island has been without a full-time NHS dentist since Massimo Locatelli retired in January with Arran Dental Care carrying out emergency treatement for NHS patients.
Vicki Campbell, head of primary and urgent care services for NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “We are delighted to be announcing this appointment to support the sustainability of public dental services on Arran. The new dentist will begin seeing patients from January 2024.
“Continued workforce challenges for dental services across Scotland has made the process of recruiting for a suitable dentist for NHS patients on Arran challenging.”
“Mr Locatelli retired from dentistry earlier this year and Arran Dental Care in Brodick kindly supported the health board and provided emergency dental care to NHS patients. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr and Mrs Kendall from Arran Dental Care in Brodick for their support during this period.”
Arran Dental Care in Brodick will be making changes to its practice provision and will soon be in touch to notify all their patients of the upcoming changes. If you wish to speak to them they can be contacted on 01770 303800.
To make a dental appointment at Lamlash Dental Clinic, call 01770 601067 and leave your name, number and a nurse will call back. The clinic’s opening hours are Monday and Friday between 10am and 4pm.
The health board has made special arrangements to continue to provide emergency dental care on the island.
Between 5pm and 6pm, call NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s dental helpline on 01292 616990.
Patients who require urgent dental care out of hours and on public holidays should continue to call NHS 24 on 111.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding these changes, contact a member of the dental management team on 01292 616980.
Lamlash Dental Clinic which is presently closed. 01_B02clinic01