Perth dentist to take on thousands of new patients

Jun 5 2009 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PERTH dental practice is preparing to take on thousands of new NHS patients.

The partners at Caledonian Dental Care, who have been based in the city’s York Place for over 10 years, are preparing to open additional premises in the Fair City, allowing for potentially thousands of new patient places.

Practice partner Mike San explained: “We have gradually expanded over the last 10 years to the point where we now have 12 dentists in the practice.

“And there is definitely an unmet demand for NHS dentists, which we can hopefully help meet through the expansion.”

Mike added that it was estimated that since 2004, between 10,000 and 15,000 people have lost their NHS registrations because of a shortage of dentists.

The plans for the new practice have been in the works for about 12 months and already the building is beginning to take shape.

The new premises in Kinnoull Causeway (the street that runs parallel to York Place, behind Lloyds Pharmacy) are due to be completed in July and open for business in August.

John Cockburn, the other partner at the practice, said: “It will be a purpose-built eight-surgery practice with all modern equipment.”

And he added that they expected people from outside Perth to travel for NHS dentistry.

“I think we could cater for all NHS dental needs in Perthshire and people will come from places like Fife and Crieff.”

And as well as providing NHS dental care, the practice’s new facility will also mean the creation of 20 new jobs, from dentists and nurses to reception staff and cleaners.

To give people the chance to sign up, the practice will be holding a pre-registration day on Saturday, June 13, between 9am and 12 noon.

lAnyone interested in signing up can collect an information pack which can be filled in and returned.