Border Telegraph | News | Former nightclub scrubs up as new dental practice

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 8th October, 2008 09:00

Former nightclub scrubs up as new dental practice

By Ally McGilvray

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DENTAL patients in the Borders may no longer have to endure an agonising wait for treatment in future.

Health chiefs have confirmed a new orthodontist surgery is to be opened in Galashiels.

The announcement was made just weeks after Scottish health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, revealed dental provision in the Borders is among the worst in Scotland.

It is understood the private practice will open in the former nightclub, best known as Bond’s, next door to the cinema in Market Street, Galashiels, before the end of the year.

However, with more than 5400 patients queuing up to join an NHS dentist across the Borders, the local health board has warned the new surgery will not stop the rot.

Community councillor Bill White, chairman of Galashiels and Langlee Community Council, told the Border Telegraph: “I think it’s a great idea – there was speculation this might happen about a year ago but we haven’t heard anything since.

“There is a shortage of dentists in the area and it brings back into use a building that has been derelict for some time.”

The town centre property has been branded an eyesore after being left empty for more than five years.

But local letting agents John Sale have confirmed the property has been taken off the market.

NHS Borders Business Services Officer Susan Cowe said: “We have been made aware that an Orthodontist is planning to open a practice in Galashiels by the end of the year.”

But she added: “We do not have any further information at present.”

Trying to get an appointment over the past few years has been like pulling teeth.

However, NHS Borders is currently constructing two new dental centres, in Hawick and Coldstream, to ease the dental crisis.

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