A new provider will be taking on the existing NHS dental services in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight following the planned October 31 closure of MyDentist.
Weeks of discussions have been taking place between NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight and local NHS dental providers on the island to ensure patients will be able to continue accessing NHS dental care in Freshwater.
Following these discussions, multi award-winning and family-run NHS dental provider Denbigh House, based in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, will be taking over the contract and delivering NHS dental services from Freshwater.
Director of Primary Care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, James Roach, said: “I’m very pleased that patients will be able to continue to access NHS dentistry from Freshwater. I know there has been much concern locally over the future of the practice and we are very grateful for the support from the community while we worked towards a solution.
“While these discussions have been taking place behind the scenes due to their sensitive nature, we are now pleased that we can reassure the community that we have been and will always take steps to ensure a positive solution for patients. We know there is more work to do on the Isle of Wight to improve NHS dentistry access and we continue working towards this goal with a plan for the Island.”
Edward Day, of Denbigh House, and St James clinic said: “My wife and I are extremely proud to be in a position to continue to provide dental care for the people of Freshwater. The way the community has come together to support the practice is phenomenal and is testament to the wonderful and caring team at the practice. We are extremely excited to be able to support this team moving forward.
“I hope this will reassure people that the practice will remain open and remain NHS. We have had a lot of support from NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight and local community representatives and many more and we look forward to continue providing NHS dental care to local patients.”
The new NHS provider plan to take over the current Freshwater practice from the end of October with patients continuing to receive care from the same staff in the existing building from that point onwards.