Manx NHS dentists full to capacity

DHSC exploring new options for dental care

NHS dental practices on the Island are running at full capacity, and are currently unable to take on any new patients.

Officials at the Department of Health and Social Care say those who want to be registered for routine appointments will be placed on a waiting list until the situation improves. 

On the Island we have a 'mixed economy', split between private and public providers. 

At the moment only forty per cent of the Manx public are able to access regular dental care via NHS practices, though anyone can get emergency treatment.  

To date, the government website (gov.im/dentists) lists 'no current vacancies available' at NHS dentists, something the health department is looking to address by exploring new options for the contracting of dental care. 

It is expected that Regent Dental Care, which recently took over at Hillside Clinic on the old Noble's site, will be able to take on more patients once it's established.