FOUR surgeries are opening their books to NHS patients ahead of the loss of one of Prestatyn dental practices.

Bupa Dental Care practices in Rhyl, Denbigh, Flint and Ewloe are all accepting new NHS patients for check-ups and treatments.

Following the Rhyl Journal’s story last week revealing that the mydentist surgery on Fern Avenue will close its doors on Wednesday, October 31, the private and NHS provider has reached out to the 1,150 patients who will have to move to a new practice.

Mia Djuheric, area manager at Bupa Dental Care said: “Anyone in Prestatyn who read recent headlines about lack of NHS dental spaces needn’t worry. We have practices who are taking on new NHS patients and we’d encourage everyone who wants to book an appointment to get in touch.”

Cllr Anton Sampson, mayor of Prestayn and a patient of the Fern Avenue surgery, responded: “I find it disconcerting how many people can't obtain NHS treatment, and I welcome any practices from outside of Prestatyn taking on new patients.

“I would always prefer Prestatyn to be able to cater for our own patients and I hope that another provider sees this as an opportunity for them and I would urge and encourage another provider to step into the Fern Avenue practice.”

While the four practices – all within 25 miles of Prestatyn – are offering to take on NHS patients, it is not yet known what the waiting times for an appointment at each dentist will be.

Patients displaced by the closure are also being reassured by mydentist that they can be accommodated at the provider’s second Prestatyn branch on the High Street.

spokesperson for the practice said: “The decision to close the Fern Avenue practice has not been taken lightly and is as a result of increased running costs.

“However, there is no need for patients to travel far to access treatment. Our High Street practice, five minutes’ walk away, can accommodate all of the practice’s NHS patients.”

Cllr Sampson added: “It must be said that Fern Avenue clients have been given the option to continue with them. Whether our other practices can cater for the needs of 1150 new patients is a question that needs to be asked of the provider.”