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Thousands of patients face losing NHS dentist

Colin ColthartBBC Scotland News
News imageGetty Images Dental patient in chair with drill in foreground Getty Images
Attempts to replace a dentist who plans to retire have been unsuccessful

More than 3,000 residents in Stranraer face losing access to NHS dental provision.

It follows unsuccessful attempts to recruit a replacement for a dentist who has announced plans to retire.

All the patients affected have been given three months' notice and will need to secure treatment elsewhere.

Dumfries and Galloway's Health and Social Care Partnership said the availability of national health dentistry in the region had improved but remained extremely limited.

The 3,119 patients who are earmarked to be deregistered are with the South West Smile practice in Stranraer.

The Bridge Street surgery currently has two dentists, one of which, Mr Dimitar Simitchiev, is to retire at the end of March.

Attempts to recruit a replacement have so far failed.

The region's director of dentistry, Alison Milne, acknowledged the frustration likely to be felt by those affected.

She said: "Unfortunately, we have been notified of the decision to deregister these patients, which means they will now need to seek alternative provision."

News imageBilly McCrorie A hospital building, the bottom half of which is in darker brick than the brighter yellow bricks used on the top half. There is a large balcony outside on top of three concrete pillars. A road runs in front of the building.Billy McCrorie
A new service for people aged 25 and under is being launched at the Galloway Community Hospital

News of the deregistrations in Stranraer coincides with the launch of a new service for locals aged 25 and under who do not have access to NHS dentistry.

It will see single courses of treatment provided from Galloway Community Hospital one day a week.

Emergency treatment for unregistered patients over 25 is provided at the Garden Hill Dental Clinic in Castle Douglas, which is about 55 miles (88km) away.

Milne said: "We continue to support dentists to provide NHS services and are working closely with Scottish government on these matters."