Health / Row over dental care for NHS patients continues as NHS vows to work with Lerwick Dental Practice
NHS SHETLAND has vowed to work with Lerwick Dental Practice to allow new NHS dentists to be registered with the practice.
It comes after a strongly worded public statement from Lerwick Dental Practice earlier this week, which laid the blame for thousands of Shetlanders being de-registered from NHS dental care squarely at the feet of the health board.
Lerwick Dental Practice notified around 2,000 of its NHS patients last November that they would be discharged from the surgery’s care as one of its dentists was leaving the practice.
Emergency care would be provided until 8 February 2025.
The practice, which is managed from Dyce Dental Practice in Aberdeen, said then that a further 4,000 NHS patients could be discharged by June unless NHS Shetland appointed a new director of dentistry.
Earlier this week the Market Street-based dentistry went further, calling for a public meeting with NHS Shetland chief executive Brian Chittick in attendance.
It has claimed that a new dentist coming to Shetland had their application for a “list number”, which is required for dealing with NHS patients, put on pause by the local health board.
They then grew frustrated with the delay and left for another NHS board, Lerwick Dental Practice has said.
“All of our new dentists who have applied for [a] list number since 2020 have faced this hostility, delays, and barriers,” it claimed.
In a response last night, NHS Shetland said it was continuing to support Lerwick Dental Practice as it works towards a practice certificate – which would allow new NHS dentists to be listed there.
“The process of listing a new dentist requires the practice to meet specific standards, requirements, and responsibilities, which are assessed through a national inspection framework that occurs every three years,” it said.
“This inspection process began in October 2024 and is still ongoing.
“The list number application for a new dentist made by Lerwick Dental Practice has not been refused but the practice certificate assurance is a requirement for it to happen.”
NHS Shetland said it recognised that dental provision in Shetland “remains challenging”, but said it was committed to ensuring patients continued to have access to essential care.
“We are working with our local MSP and the Scottish Government to find solutions to improve dental services in Shetland, whilst awaiting confirmation ofLerwick Dental Practice’s intent to delist patients,” it said.
“We will be reaching out to the practice to arrange a meeting to discuss next steps.”
First Minister John Swinney said last November that the issue of dental care in Shetland had the “fullest attention” of public health minister Jenni Minto.
“I have been briefed by officials on this developing situation in Shetland, and I understand that my officials have met with the board to discuss this as a matter of urgency,” he added.
“The latest news is undoubtedly a regressive step”.
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