By Hugh Boag
Arran will be left with just one NHS dentist to cover the island from early next year.
Arran Dental Care in Brodick is to stop providing adult NHS dentistry from February 1 2024 although it will continue to treat children up to the age of 18.
The island has been without a full-time NHS dentist since Mr Massimo Locatelli retired at the end oof 2022. He returned part-time earlier this year to help out while the health board sought a replacement, while Arran Dental Care provided emergency dental care.
A new NHS dentist has now been appointed and will start seeing patients at Lamlash Dental Clinic in January. However, they will be the only dentist seeing NHS adult patients after the decision by Arran Dental Care.
In a statement, practice owners Kenneth and Emma Kendall said: “Any of our registered NHS patients with a current long-term exemption will still continue to receive free dental treatment and all children – those under 18 – will continue to be registered NHS.
Vicki Campbell, head of primary and urgent care services, said: “NHS Ayrshire and Arran was notified by Arran Dental Care, Brodick, in August 2023 of its intention to move to solely private practice provision from February 1 2024.
“All patients currently registered with Arran Medical Group have been notified of this change by letter. Those patients who will automatically remain under NHS dental care have also been notified.
“NHS Ayrshire and Arran successfully recruited a new dentist to work within the Public Dental Service at Lamlash Clinic. The new dentist will begin seeing patients from January 2024. In addition to this, the health board will monitor the demand of NHS patients on the island and provide additional clinical cover to support the new dentist on an ad-hoc basis if required.
“The Public Dental Service acts as a specialised and safety-net service, providing care for individuals living in areas where there were few NHS dentists providing general dental services. Therefore, any patient experiencing issues accessing dental care on the island can contact NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Dental Helpline on 01292 616990.
“In the meantime, if you have any queries or concerns regarding these changes please contact a member of the dental management team on 01292 616980.”
To make a dental appointment at Lamlash Dental Clinic please call 01770 601067 and leave your name, number and a nurse will call you back. The current clinic opening hours are Monday and Friday between 10am and 4pm.
The Brodick surgery of Arran Dental Care. 01_B47dental01_23_arran_care
Kenneth and Emma Kendall of Arran Dental Care. NO_B47dental02_23_kenneth_emma