Why are 3,000 Stranraer patients losing NHS dental access?

The South West Smile practice in Stranraer is deregistering over 3,100 patients because they could not recruit a replacement for a dentist who is retiring at the end of March.

What alternative NHS dental services are available in Stranraer?

A new service for those aged 25 and under has launched, providing treatment one day a week at Galloway Community Hospital. Emergency treatment for unregistered patients over 25 is available in Castle Douglas.

When will the deregistration of patients in Stranraer take effect?

The affected patients have been given three months' notice to find alternative NHS dental provisions.

Home / Health / Stranraer Dental Crisis: 3,000 Face NHS Care Loss

Stranraer Dental Crisis: 3,000 Face NHS Care Loss

28 Jan

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Summary

Over 3,100 patients in Stranraer will lose NHS dental access.
A dentist's upcoming retirement led to the practice's decision.
New services are available for under-25s, but adult access is limited.

Stranraer Dental Crisis: 3,000 Face NHS Care Loss

Over 3,000 residents in Stranraer are facing the loss of their NHS dental care. The South West Smile practice has announced it will deregister 3,119 patients due to the impending retirement of a key dentist at the end of March. Despite efforts to find a replacement, recruitment has been unsuccessful, leading to this difficult decision.

Patients affected by the deregistration have been given three months' notice to secure alternative dental provisions. Dumfries and Galloway's Health and Social Care Partnership acknowledges the limited availability of national health dentistry in the area. Efforts are underway to support dentists providing NHS services, with ongoing discussions with the Scottish government.

Coinciding with this news, a new service has been introduced for individuals aged 25 and under in the region who lack NHS dental access. This service will offer single courses of treatment at Galloway Community Hospital one day per week. Emergency treatment for unregistered patients over 25 is available in Castle Douglas, located approximately 55 miles away.