MP for Delyn, Rob Roberts met recently with BUPA to discuss patient’s concerns about the closure of their practice in Flint.
Bupa have written to the Delyn MP to tell him about the closure dental practice in Flint which will happen on 31st May 2022.
Following a number of concerns raised by local residents, Mr Roberts requested a meeting with Bupa to discuss the situation.
Commenting on the closure Rob has said:
“I have been contacted by many local residents who have shared their concerns with me about being left without access to an NHS dentist.
“I had a frank conversation with Bupa about the closure and the impact this will have on the community. I was shocked to find out that 6 of their 19 North Wales practices operate making a financial loss each year. The Flint practice has struggled to recruit dentists for a long time and because of this Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has reduced the NHS contract it had with them. This has meant the practice being financially unviable and sadly led to the closure.
“There are many complex factors effecting the dental industry right now. The inability to educate and train enough dentists in the UK, the reduction in overseas dentists practicing in the UK, a difficult regulatory environment, and patients who could afford to pay privately blocking NHS places.
“I will be raising these concerns with the Health Minister in Wales, and I have requested a meeting with the local health board to ask them what their plans are to fix this problem in the short term. I will also be meeting with General Dental Council and the British Dental Association to discuss solutions to some of these challenges."