Wrexham: Dental Practice reduces NHS patient capacity

The patient at Ruabon Road Dental Practice, who wants to remain anonymous, recently received a letter informing her she will no longer be seen by a dentist at the site. 

The practice took the decision to cut its NHS capacity by 25 per cent due to a lack of staff. 

In recent months, three NHS dentists have left the practice alongside a long-serving dentist who retired. 

Despite efforts to replace the departing staff, the practice came to the conclusion that the NHS capacity must be reduced. 

Ruabon Road Dental Practice. Credit: Google maps (Image: Google Maps)

This decision has now left a number of patients wondering what to do next, including the local resident, who said: "There are no available NHS dentists in Wrexham, so I'll have to stay with Ruabon and pay, which under normal circumstances I understand, but I'm struggling paying for most of everything at the moment.

"I really don't want to look at how much the treatments are.

"I feel scared, I feel like I've done something wrong. I've no idea what the future holds but it feels like the end of the NHS. 

"I've never witnessed such a catastrophic failure by a government before."

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Peter Greensmith, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s assistant director for North Wales dental services and project director of North Wales Dental Academy, said: “Nearly all dental practices are independent concerns, some of which choose to provide NHS services under a contractual arrangement with the Health Board. 

“The General Dental Services (GDS) contract is a contract for the provision of services, the terms of which are set at a national level, with contractors providing examination and courses of treatment to patients.

“The Health Board cannot compel a practice to offer NHS services and in recent years a number of practices chose to cease all NHS provision. 

“Therefore while the practice’s inability to maintain its current level of NHS activity is regrettable, it should be recognised the practice is seeking to maintain the majority of its NHS activity.

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“Discussions between the Health Board and the practice regarding their ability to achieve their current NHS contract levels due to difficulties in replacing dentists who have left the practice, have been ongoing throughout the year.

“In February 2023 these culminated in the formal request from the contractor to reduce their NHS commitment by 25% for 2023/24. To reflect the reduction in patients accessing NHS dental treatment at the practice the contract value has been adjusted accordingly.

“We will continue to review the situation with the practice throughout the year as part of our ongoing contract management.”