New dental practice to open in Lochgilphead

Changes to the provision of dental services in Lochgilphead are to be implemented soon.

A new independent dental practice in the town’s Union Street is scheduled to open on Wednesday March 18.

All patients registered with the Public Dental Service will have their dental registration electronically transferred to the independent practice on March 23.

Union Street Dental Practice will be offering the transferred patients the full range of NHS treatments. As an independent practice, private treatment items not routinely available on the NHS will also be offered.

The patient registration transfer follows Scottish

Government guidance that routine dental care of patients should be provided by independent NHS dentists and that the Public Dental Service should concentrate on providing care for those who find it difficult to access dental services for health or other reasons.

The Public Dental Service is committed to providing dental services for priority group patients. The dental team based within the Mid Argyll Hospital will provide a service to patients with special care needs or where their circumstances prevent them from attending an independent practice.

These circumstances include physical disabilities, medically compromising conditions and frail or dependant elderly and housebound patients. Patients who fall within these and other priority groups will still be registered with the Public Dental Service.