Helmsdale.org

Three new dentists for Sutherland

NHS Highland announced this week it had appointed three new salaried dentists who will be based in Helmsdale, Lairg and Lochinver health centres.

There has long been concern over the lack of NHS dentists and a growing waiting list in the county. The situation was exacerbated last August by the retirement of dentist David Dyson who ran a part-time practice in Helmsdale.

NHS Highland's Inverness-based Dental Service Development Manager, Alexandra Fraser, said at the time that they were experiencing difficulty in replacing Mr Dyson because of the part-time nature of the post.

His patients were initially offered emergency care from the Wick salaried dental team at the Lochshell Dental Clinic until locum cover was provided.

One of the new dentists will be based in Helmsdale Health Centre for four days a week from Monday to Thursday while another will provide a similar service at Lairg Health Centre A third appointee will be based at Lochinver Health Centre two days a week, on Thursdays and Fridays.

NHS Highland's Assistant Clinical Dental Director Mr Nicol said: "They will provide an NHS dental service to all patient groups and a service will also be available to patients requiring domiciliary visits and to any child unable to register with an independent dentist.

"Initially, these salaried dentists will be asked to maintain a service to patients already registered with the salaried service, but they will seek to take patients from the NHS dental waiting list over the coming months."

Mr Nicol added: "In addition, a service to priority groups unable to access NHS dental services from local independent practitioners will be available in Golspie Health Centre on Tuesday mornings and on Wednesdays."

There were 2290 people on the NHS dental waiting list for Sutherland in October of last year, which is the latest available figure. This consisted of 1047 people in Helmsdale, 962 in Lairg and 281 in Lochinver.

Published on Friday 8 January 2010 by David Mason