Largs Dental Surgery has looked to clarify growing concerns that the practice is not taking on NHS patients and going private.

Users of the surgery have taken to social media and contacted the News in recent weeks after they were sent a letter inviting them to join a Dental Health Plan.

The letter, from dentist Alison McGregor, revealed that from September 5, she would “only see adult patients on an independent membership basis” - but other dentists in the practice will continue to see NHS patients.

The letter states: “Since the end of the pandemic, NHS dentistry has become challenging in so many ways. It has cause increasing waiting times, now up to eight months for an appointment.

“I am writing to let you know about the positive changes that will be occurring so I can return to offer first class dental care.

“I will be offering an alternative service to improve this situation and have made the difficult decision to move away from the NHS and onto an independent membership plan.

“This has not been an easy decision to make. The demand for NHS dentistry is ever increasing and this means I would be unable to offer adequate time to allow for your routine examinations.”

Ms McGregor went on to explain that she believed the time between examinations and treatments could extend to a minimum of a year, and said the decision would allow her to reduce this time.

To join the dental plan, users are being asked to pay a monthly fee starting from £16.50, with a limit on the number of patients who can sign up.

Following the letter, residents were left concerned that the new membership scheme applied to the whole surgery, and that the practice was moving to a private system instead of taking NHS patients.

However, staff at the surgery have now clarified the situation to the News, saying that only Ms McGregor is moving to private practice within the business.  

Dentists Isabel Saunderson and Sheryl Shankland will continue to see NHS patients, with Erin McBride leaving the practice in May.