News / Dental practice to close for one month
THE LERWICK dental practice at St Olaf Street will close for four weeks after principal dentist Alan Owen retires on Friday 2 September.
NHS Shetland, who will take over the running of the practice after Mr Owen failed to sell it as a private concern, said that they would use the time to carry out essential maintenance prior to reopening on Monday 3 October.
The NHS emergency treatment service is to be extended during that month to cater for extra demand from patients.
Emergency contact numbers are 01595 743160 from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 08454 242424 at all other times.
Patients due for routine treatment during September will be contacted after the practice reopens to rearrange their appointment.
Interim dental director Pippa Arbon said: “The transition arrangements mean we have had to plan to close the practice for a period of time. It is an ideal opportunity to carry out essential works, which means we will not have to do this at a later stage which would mean closing the practice again.”
All existing practice staff will join the NHS and continue working from the St Olaf Street premises.
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