A ‘BAD situation’ has become ‘much worse’ as the dental crisis deepens in the Furness area.

Both Bupa in Barrow and {my}dentist in Dalton each recently announced their plans to permanently close.

Practices in Grange and Millom, both serving Furness residents, also recently either handed back their NHS contracts or closed.

{my}dentist closed its doors for the final time on April 21.

A number of patients have been transferred to the Barrow {my}dentist branch to continue treatment, however, some have now been left without a dentist.

A spokesperson for {my}dentist said: “In common with many dental practices across the country we have faced significant challenges in recruiting clinicians. Unfortunately, as a result, our practice on Market Street in Dalton-in-Furness was forced to close on April 21.

“Two of our clinicians have relocated to our neighbouring practice in Barrow-in-Furness. This has allowed us to offer continuity of treatment for the patients already under their care. But sadly, due to limited NHS capacity and despite our best efforts, this offer could not be extended to all of our patients from Dalton-in-Furness.”

Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell has secured a meeting with the Under Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Neil O’Brien MP, to discuss dentistry in Furness.

Taking part in Topical Questions to the Health and Social Care Department, Mr Fell said: “My constituents in Dalton-in-Furness were dismayed to find out that {my}dentist’ has closed.

“This follows the closure of Bupa in Barrow and in Millom, and Avondale in Grange-over-Sands handing back its NHS contracts.

“What was a bad situation has got much worse. I am meeting the ICB next week to talk about what it might be able to do, but will the Minister agree to meet me to discuss what levers he can pull to improve dental access in Barrow and Furness?”

Mr Fell said that he has had dozens of constituents contact him to share their concerns about the dentistry provision in Furness.

He said: “Over a hundred residents have been in contact with me about this, and I continue to make the case on behalf of them and the many local people concerned about dentistry provision right across the government. I look forward to meeting with the Minister soon.”