Dentistry is something we've taken for granted. Yes, the NHS costs are increasing but it's still a reasonably priced service, for now. The bad news regards dentistry is that all our dentists now including Rhuthun/Ruthin's are businesses that no longer offer a service as they once did.
Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised with the increases in housing in town and in villages. The infrastructure simply hasn't kept up. Perhaps Brexit has resulted in a difficulty in recruiting.
This, then, is the position regarding the sign up for Ruthin Dental Practice as at yesterday. There were several people in the surgery waving their letters but to no avail.
- The opportunity to sign up for the £170-a-year 'membership' closed after 10 days. At that point, it seems not all information letters had even been issued. Either way, with 21 days till the deadline, that has resulted in some disappointment and queues on the waiting list. Well, it did say that it was first-come-first-served. This is usually an advertiser's threat but in this instance it wasn't.
- It took 12 phone calls over almost as many days before I even spoke to the practice.The line was either engaged or not answered or went to answerphone. I had a few questions but these were obsolete when I discovered it was just too late.
- The person to whom I spoke was unrepentant and it was the case that they didn't really care. Others to whom I've spoken have had the same response.
- You're now being advised to email, not phone. Is that to ensure staff are not verbally abused?
- There was nothing in the letter to suggest that only 28 per cent of current patients would be admitted. Some suggest that the practice named the percentage.
- There are warm words about attracting another dentist. If so, what additional percentage of patients can be accommodated? Nowhere near all who need it.
- You cannot simply go private and either pay the full price or claim of existing insurance (as we previously though you could). No, you need to be a member.
We remind ourselves that without this change the practice cannot 'remain a viable business'. But is it a viable *service* when it's only available to 28 per cent of those currently on its books?
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Health