Assurances over transfer of NHS dental patients

ALMOST 1,800 people who receive dental care through NHS Highland’s public dental service clinic in Fort William have been informed they will now be treated by the town’s M& S Dental Care practice, writes Mark Entwistle.

NHS Highland said it, as with all health boards in Scotland, is required to ensure its Public Dental Service (PDS) is focused on delivering services for patients with additional needs who cannot always access services from a high street dentist.

An increasing number of high street dental practices within Highland region are now offering NHS registration ensuring patients previously registered with the Public Dental Services, but who have no additional needs, have ongoing access to NHS dental services.

NHS Highland confirmed to the Lochaber Times this week that 1,767 patients have received a letter advising their future NHS dental care will be provided by M&S Dental Care, in Glen Nevis Place.

The letters were sent after PDS clinicians identified them as being suitable for transfer to M& S Dental Care.

‘This is because the PDS is primarily focused on providing services for those patients with additional needs which result in them being unable to access part or all of their care through a high street dentist,’ an NHS Highland spokesperson said. ‘In addition, the PDS provides access to patients living in rural areas where there is no GDP/high street service available. Transferring patients from the PDS to NHS-committed GDP practices means capacity is freed up within the PDS to focus and prioritise the delivery of services for these patient groups.’

But not everyone is happy about the enforced switch. John Fotheringham, chairman of Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry Community Council, is happy with the dental care he receives from the PDS.

‘This looks like NHS Highland saving money at our expense and when I asked about this I was told there is no right of appeal,’ said Mr Fotheringham.

‘To be told there is no right of appeal is appalling and I think this is more to do with the £47million shortfall in funding NHS Highland faces more than anything else.

Mr Fotheringham said he now intends writing to NHS Highland’s clinical dental director John Lyon to lodge his personal objection to the transfer of dental patients.