The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed new arrangements for patients registered at Hillside Dental Clinic in Douglas. Regent Dental Care is now providing NHS dental services at the facility which is based in the Old Noble’s Hospital, the contract commencing at the start of April 2018.
A transition from the previous provider Ravat and Ray Dental Care to the new service is under way, and patients can expect to hear from Regent Dental Care in good time to arrange their next appointment.
Regent Dental Care currently runs an NHS dental practice in Peel and provides NHS orthodontic services in Douglas. Clinical Director Dr Andre Vogelzang BChD said:
‘We are excited to be able to extend our NHS dental services to the Douglas area. To ensure a smooth transition, we will retain the vast majority of appointments already booked with Ravat and Ray. If we need to change any appointments we will make contact with individual patients to re-arrange.’
Over the course of the next 12 months it’s expected Regent Dental Care will increase the number of NHS patients seen at Hillside Dental Clinic, as additional dentists are engaged and the service expands. A number of staff previously employed by Ravat and Ray, including both dentists, will transfer to the new practice to assist with continuity of care.
The immediate priority is for the new team to settle in and ensure services are running smoothly. Patients are therefore asked to await contact from the staff, although those requiring emergency treatment should phone the surgery.
Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford MHK said:
‘We look forward to Regent Dental Care providing an excellent service for patients in the Isle of Man.
‘I’m pleased the new practice is to be based at Hillside Dental Clinic, making use of an existing high-spec and convenient facility. Patients need not worry about the transfer of provider – although there will be a period of change behind the scenes, their care will continue with little or no interruption.’
Contact details for Regent Dental Care along with other useful information for patients can be found at www.gov.im/dentists
