Do we need another Dentist practise?

[amron]

After speaking to my uncle who has recently returned home to Campbeltown the Dentist is not taking any more patients. He has to try Tarbert or Lochgilphead.
Could Campbeltown do with another practise here? To cope with demand.
I hope to have my appointment this week as my original appointment had been cancelled.
Is there no need to visit the Dentist every 6 months anymore. Has is changed to a yearly visit?
I am happy with my dentist, and glad that my family are registered but what happens to the children are they automaticaly registered?

What is the general feeling about this?

[hoots the scoop]

Amron

We could do with another practice but apparently the private side is too lucrative and there is a ahortage of dentists who want to work for the NHS.

The solution to your problem of getting a twice yearly check-up is to make an appointment as you are going out from your current one and hope that it stays in place 'till the six months are up.

I find it annoying to turn up for my booked appointment and non-patients are sitting waiting to have some emergency work done. You will usually find they never go near the dentist at any other time and expect to be taken right away after years of neglect.

Do you think they should be refused and told to seek treatment at a private surgery?

[GarySutherland]

It's a problem all over the country now. Dentists are finding it doesn't pay to have NHS patients on their books and are switching to private only or private with a dental care plan.

Of course this piles pressure on those dentists that are still accepting NHS patients and it ends up becoming a vicious circle.

Personally I'd have thought Kintyre could easily support another dental practise, and you might find patients coming from as far as Bute or beyond for treatment.

Cheers
Gary

[MumphysMum]

amron, my da couldn't get into a local dentist, he too was told he'd have to travel up the road.
Also, I think I read somewhere recently which said that yearly check-ups would suffice instead of twice-yearly, but I guess it's up to the individual to book what they are happy with.