It is with deep regret that, with immediate effect, we are no longer able to continue providing routine NHS dental services in our Porthmadog and Llangefni clinics.
NHS dental services are provided under contract to the Local Health Board by independent dental care providers, such as West End Dental. Under these contracts, the provider accepts the full clinical and financial risk of delivering safe and effective care in return for a fixed amount of funding. The level of funding provided determines how much treatment we can deliver - this mechanism effectively rations the amount of care that can be provided, and can restrict the type of care that can be offered.
As a provider, we have struggled for a long time to reconcile the rationing of care with our desire to provide the very best service possible. The advent of COVID-19 means we now find it impossible to continue providing an NHS service.
As such, we have chosen to make the difficult decision to resign our NHS contracts with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB). We have written to BCUHB and the resignation takes effect 30 September 2020. As an independent, family owned provider of dental care this is a difficult but necessary decision.
Ultimately, focusing on private care will allow us to spend more time with you as a patient, understanding your needs and wants, as well as offering a greater focus on long-term, preventative care.
We are aware this news will come at a difficult time for some. For those undergoing NHS dental treatment currently, we will do our best to provide care where we can do so safely and within the restrictions available.
Regretfully, we cannot offer any further routine consultations or appointments on an NHS basis.
We do have capacity to support a limited number of patients on a private basis.
To assist our patients as much as possible, we are pleased to launch our dedicated Essentials MembershiFor just £10 per month for adults, or £5 per month for children, Essentials Members can enjoy routine consultations, discounts on a wide range of treatments, worldwide accident & emergency dental insurance and access to emergency care.
Patients can also choose to attend appointments on a pay as you go basis, although we cannot guarantee availability of appointments or same day emergency care in this instance.
We've set out here some important questions you may have regarding NHS dental care.