The move by Gardenhill Dental Clinic adds to a worsening situation in Dumfries and Galloway around access to NHS dental services.
Director of dentistry Alison Milne said: “The decision by the owners of Gardenhill Dental Clinic to close in January is not good news.
“It means that from early January a total of 4400 patients in the Castle Douglas area will no longer be registered with an NHS dentist at a time when this is becoming a very serious situation across our region.
“This move comes after the closure of a Castle Douglas dental practice in October 2021 which affected 1500 patients as well as the reduction in NHS dental care being provided by the other dental practice in the town in spring 2022.
“We know through our Time to Talk summer of engagement that access to NHS dental services is one of people’s most pressing concerns.”
But she pointed out that dentists, like GPs, are independent contractors who are awarded contracts to provide services on behalf of the NHS.
The NHS say they continue to work to encourage and support dentists to take up contracts.
Ms Milne added: “In some circumstances we can even support with provision of premises, as is the case with this practice which operates out of Gardenhill Primary Care Centre.
“However, this is a situation that will only improve when we have more dentists coming into our region providing NHS services – but we know that the lack of dental workforce is a national problem.”
NHS patients who receive notification from Gardenhill Dental Clinic will now need to seek alternative provision.
Emergency dental are can stil be accessed by contacting the dental helpline on 0845 602 6417.
