Challenges in Finding NHS Dental Care in Stranraer
When Maissie Presslie relocated to Stranraer from Falkirk in 2024, she did not anticipate the difficulties she would encounter in securing an NHS dentist. She informed the BBC that she has been advised that the wait to join a dental practice could extend up to five years.
The situation in the Dumfries and Galloway town worsened recently after the region's health board confirmed that 3,000 patients were deregistered following the retirement of one of Stranraer's dentists.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway acknowledged the significant challenges facing dental services and emphasized its role in collaborating with practices to provide support and attract dentists to the area.
Maissie, aged 70, explained that she and her husband typically attend six-month dental check-ups, but this has become unfeasible despite their efforts to contact all known practices.
"We've put our names down at the ones that we know of - which isn't many - and we've been told that it could take up to five years because they have hundreds on their list to join them," she said.
"They've told us just right out straight that it would be up to five years before we'd be able to get on to any register with them, which is a long time."
This situation leaves her concerned about the availability of treatment if needed in the near future.
"I believe that a dentist is necessary, it's necessary for us, we're getting older, we need to make sure our teeth are okay," she said.
"I've tried to do that my whole life just to make sure - I've been very lucky enough not to have had to get much done to my teeth.
"But in the case of, if I do break a tooth or I have a filling comes out at any point, then I really don't know where to go."
Maissie expressed her surprise at the dental care situation in her new community.
"I love the area, I love the people," she said.
"But I just don't understand why there aren't enough dentists here.
"I believe there's about 10,500 people in Stranraer, maybe about 14,000 around the surrounding areas, and it must be not only frustrating for me but frustrating for people who already live here as well."
She has also sought dental services in nearby towns such as Newton Stewart and Girvan without success and remains on the waiting list for the practice that recently deregistered thousands of patients.
"I just wish somebody could see that there is an issue in Stranraer," she said.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway's Response
NHS Dumfries and Galloway confirmed ongoing "significant challenges" in providing general NHS dental services across the region. The organization highlighted its commitment to working with dental practices to support them and encourage dentists to establish themselves locally.
The recent deregistration in Stranraer coincided with the introduction of a service for individuals aged 25 or under in the town, offering check-ups and treatment at the Galloway Community Hospital (GCH).
Additionally, NHS Dumfries and Galloway stated that people of any age who are not registered with an NHS dentist can access a single course of treatment at the Garden Hill Dental Clinic in Castle Douglas, approximately 55 miles (88 km) away.
Scottish Government Funding and Initiatives
A statement from the Scottish government noted that an additional £437,000 of recurring funding has been allocated to NHS Dumfries and Galloway to address the unique dental access challenges in the area.
This funding has been utilized to establish the service at Garden Hill and to support dental provision at the Galloway Community Hospital.
The government also committed to "review and refresh" the financial incentives available to dentists to improve access in rural communities.
