Hopes raised for future of closure-threatened Colwyn Bay dental practice

Hopes have been raised that the future of a closure-threatened dental practice in Colwyn Bay could be safeguarded.

BUPA Dental Care is set to close its practice on Prince’s Drive in the town by next month, with concerns previously raised that it would leave thousands of patients without a dentist.

However, it’s been revealed that another dental care provider is looking at taking on the premises, with other practices in the area said to be full to capacity.

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar said he was delighted by the news, which he believes will offer “hope” to those impacted.

He said: “Since Bupa Dental Care first announced its plans to close their practice in Colwyn Bay, patients of the surgery have been extremely concerned about how they would access dental services in the future given that all other practices in the area are full to capacity.

“I am therefore extremely pleased that another dental care provider has expressed an interest in taking on the Bupa Dental Care premises, staff and NHS contract in Colwyn Bay.

“They are currently engaging positively with Bupa and the health board and I hopefully we will have some definite, positive news soon.

“In the meantime, I thank everyone who has signed my petition and encourage those who haven’t to do so at: https://www.darrenmillar.wales/save-our-dental-services-colwyn-bay .

“While today’s news is great, we are not out of the woods quite yet.”

 Since BUPA’s announcement in November, there has been an ongoing political row over who or what is to blame for the closure, which also affects a practice in Caernarfon.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the implications of Brexit were harming dental services, with almost a fifth of staff coming from the EU.

But Mr Millar placed responsibility firmly on the Welsh Government for failing to train enough dentists.