Plea for Scarborough people's views in bid to improve access to dentists

Healthwatch North Yorkshire says it is working with NHS England and Improvement in a bid to address the long-running saga.

The organisation - which describes itself as an “independent champion for people using local health and social care services in North Yorkshire" - has put out a plea on social media to speak to people in Scarborough who are interested in the future of dentistry services in the borough.

Anyone who is interested should call 01904 552687 or email [email protected].

As reported by The Scarborough News, more Scarborough residents have been left scrambling for a place on already overloaded NHS dentist waiting lists since {my}dentist on Dunslow Road shut at the end of last month.

Lack of dentists forces Scarborough practice to close leaving patients struggling to find care

Patients were told the closure was happening because the practice could not recruit enough dentists.

The struggle to find an NHS dentist has been a problem that has plagued Scarborough for years.

In 2004, the issue made national news when hundreds of people queued round the block to sign up to sign up to a practice in New Queen Street.

One {my}dentist patient told The Scarborough News he had not been able to find another NHS dentist taking on new patients any nearer than Kirkbymoorside - 25 miles away - and even there he would need to join an 800 people-long waiting list.