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Recruitment problems lead to shortage of dentists
THERE is a shortage of dentists at a Douglas practice, the Department of Health has confirmed.
Following a request for information iomtoday has learned that 'recruitment difficulties' are being experienced at Hillside Dental Practice, in Westmoreland Road.
A Department of Health spokesman said: 'In response to your request for information on the provision of dental services at the Hillside Dental Practice, the Department of Health confirms that there is a shortage of dentists at present.'
The Department of Health was unavailable to comment on whether treatment for any patients had been delayed or cancelled as a result of the shortage.
A press conference on the 'recruitment difficulties being experienced in the department's Salaried Dental Service' is due to take place later today (Tuesday).
It will be attended by director of health strategy and performance Norman McGregor Edwards, dental department service manager Carolyn Lewis and primary care operations manager Dave Kissack.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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YOUR COMMENTS
So what! We have more things to worry about on this island than a couple less Dentists. If needs to be use your black and decker and some poly filler, then for that clean shining effect use vaseline. Works a treat!
PJ
Would it not be more accurate to say there is a shortage of dentists full stop. By that I mean National Health ones, or in other words the guys that are funded from our NI payments.
You will notice recently this has gone up, as a consequence your salary has gone down, along with the service it seems.
It is impossible to get one here now and to get anything done quickly means going private, the whole NHS is a shambles!
Why cant they just be honest with us!
STEEVO
This is the same throughout the dentists on the island, they are all struggling to keep existing and recruit new staff!
(I always thought that Duncan was the funny guy of the duo!)
NickTheGreek
The Island is very fortunate to have a broad compliment of NHS and private dentists. The problem facing the Isle of Man is insignificant compared to some areas of the UK where people travel, in some cases, hundreds of miles to find an NHS dentist taking on new patients. The problem stems from new contracts introduced by the NHS; over the past 4 to 5 years dentists have moved from NHS to private and the shift was identified by Dental organisations well in advance of the new contract. If the Isle of Man Department of Health has the initiative and funding they should consider incentivising recruitment and retention of dentists on the Island and offering NHS lists to private dentists with remuneration in line with private dentistry. This is not an isolated Isle of Man problem, primary care trusts in the UK have the power to remunerate their dental providers as they see fit, I can only assume the Isle of Man Department of Health has similar powers, so offer dentists the pay they are worth and you may find some come forward.
ANON
I returned from the IOM to Chelmsford after 23 years and was embarrassed by the number of NHS desntists after me as a patient. Google "Sharrows". They even work on Sundays. I told a Manx mate of mine and he came over. No probs! I had all the work done the IOM for all its wealth could not provide. Over here they have banners on the front of the buildings inviting you to register as an NHS patient. The IOM looks a bad bet in all ways.
BARRIE STEVENS
A Spanish dentist friend of mine has just left the Island after having her position being made redundant at the hospital... How can they say their is a shortage when they are throwing good workers away? Left hand... right hand?
ANON
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
