Yesterday, we mentioned some 'warm words' coming from Ruthin Dental Practice about the recruitment of another dentist. Today, we shall try to put this in context. So, let's assume:
- The catchment for the practice, including rural areas, is 10,000, including children.
- Not all these will be registered with the dentist. Let's guess at 7,000.
- We know from the dentists that under their membership scheme they are full and that this represents 28 per cent of their current cohort.
- 28 per cent of 7,000 is 1,960. Let's say 2,000.
- This means that 5,000 people are denied local dental care.
- We also know from the dentists that they say that they have lost 'over half' of their clinicians. We don't know whether this is actual dentists or hygienist or both. But, let's make the assumption that of the 11 dentists, 'over half' have left. 'Over half' means five gone and four remaining.
- So, four dentists can treat 2,000 people.
- Each dentist can handle 500 people (2,000 divided by four).
- The recruitment of a further dentist will ipso facto result in a further 500 having access to the dentist.
- 2,000 + 500 = 2,500 or 36 per cent of the current cohort.
- So, this means that 4,500 people who previously had a dentist won't any longer. Plus the remainder who aren't even technically on the books.
Tags:
Health