A new dentist has opened on Skye.
Portree Dental Care’s team of three dentists will be located in the same premises as the NHS Highland’s Public Dental Service Clinic at Sraid An Eorna.
A significant number of patients from the health board clinic, principally those not prioritised as having additional needs, will now be transferred to the new dental practice..
In a letter to these patients, NHS Highland’s Clinical Dental Director, John Lyon said: ” Portree Dental Care will be run by Mr Zahid Ahmad, who has relocated to Skye with his family and will be joined at the practice by fellow dentists, Muhammad Anwar and Rana Osman.”
A spokesman for Portree Dental Care said: “The practice offers predominantly NHS General Dental Services. Our aim is ensuring affordable, accessible and quality routine dental care and emergency dental services for everyone in the town and throughout the island.
“We have extended our opening hours to make it more convenient for all age groups. We have no post code restrictions to provide dental services.”
The move is good news for local patients, because recent difficulties in recruiting and retaining dentists at the Public Dental Service Clinic resulted in a waiting list for appointments.
The NHS Highland team had to prioritise appointments for those patients requiring emergency care.
Alex Fraser, NHS Highland’s dental service development manager said: “This is great news. Our focus has always been to provide a sustainable and accessible dental service for the people in North Skye that will help to maintain and improve the oral health of all living within the local community. The new dental practice opening at Sraid An Eorna will help us enormously to do just that.”