RECRUITMENT is set to begin for a full-time permanent dentist for Sanquhar Dental Clinic – as plans are developed to improve the sustainability of the service by developing it from a single dentist clinic to a two dentist clinic over the next 12 months.
Sanquhar Dental Clinic in Station Road is a Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership service managed by the NHS Board’s Public Dental Service. It provides routine NHS dental care to approximately 2200 registered patients.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway Professional Lead for Dental and Oral Health Services Valerie White said: “Sanquhar Dental Clinic has operated as a single-dentist service for many years.
“Due to unexpected staff developments, the service has been running with limited cover since October.
“Several attempts have been made to recruit a fixed-term dentist to the clinic in Sanquhar, and to recruit locum cover, but this has not been successful – meaning very limited services have been available at the clinic.”
The nearest independent dental contractors to Sanquhar are located in Thornhill, Cumnock and Dumfries.
And it is noted that 82 per cent of those living in the Upper Nithsdale area are currently registered with an NHS dentist, with estimates of 850 people currently not being registered.
Ms White said: “Recognising a lack of nearby capacity, the geographic importance of the clinic, and following a rapid review of all available options, it has been agreed that we are going to seek to develop a two-dentist model for Sanquhar Dental Clinic, with the clinic itself continuing be managed by the Board’s Public Dental Service.
“In addition to recruiting a full-time permanent dentist, plans are being developed to refurbish a second dental surgery in the clinic. This model will be developed to provide a two dentist clinic over the next 12 months and it is hoped that in time this model will allow those patients living in the upper Nithsdale area who are not currently registered with an NHS dentist the opportunity to do so.”
All registered patients of the practice are being notified by letter of the plans to develop the Sanquhar Dental Clinic to a two dentist model.
