Health / Health board and dental practice agree actions to ‘move forward together’
NHS SHETLAND says it has met with Lerwick Dental Practice and agreed to move “forward together” following a long-running dispute over dental provision.
The health board said an independent practice inspection would take place at the Market Street dentistry later this month, as requested by Lerwick Dental Practice.
“At this time, there are no plans to deregister additional NHS patients,” a spokesperson for the health board said.
Patients were told at the time that the move came as one of its dentists prepared to leave the practice, which is managed from Dyce Dental Practice in Aberdeen.
There was also a threat that more people could be de-registered this summer from the dentistry, which is independent but accepts NHS patients.
It came at a time when Shetland’s dental provision was already stretched.
The dental practice spoke out on the matter in strong terms on Facebook, at one point calling for the resignation of NHS Shetland’s director of dentistry while also requesting a public meeting.
Earlier this year the health board highlighted “issues” with an ongoing practice inspection process had not been completed.
Director of dentistry Anthony Visocchi had said Lerwick Dental Practice’s application process for registering a new dentist at the practice had to be paused until those “issues” were resolved.
But in a statement this week, NHS Shetland said the health board and the practice have agreed on actions to move things forward – including an independent practice inspection.
A spokesperson also added that following “positive discussions” with the Scottish Government, NHS Shetland has secured extra funding to employ a locum with emergency expertise.
However it was highlighted that urgent and non-routine cases continue to be the priority of NHS Shetland’s general dental service.
“NHS Shetland and Lerwick Dental Practice want to reassure patients that we are doing everything possible to address the shortage of dental appointments and appreciate your patience during this time,” the health board spokesperson said.
“We sincerely thank the Shetland community for their understanding and will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses.”
Shetland News contacted Lerwick Dental Practice last week but did not receive a response.
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