Fears were raised at Buckie Community Council this week that the new dental centre at Seafield Hospital had already closed its patient register.

But the Moray Health and Social Care Partnership, which is overseeing the project, said townsfolk are still able to sign up for NHS treatment.

Malcolm Stewart, assistant clinical dental director, said: "We started a list about 18 months ago. It's not closed, so people can still put their names down.

"When they get in touch to put their names on the waiting list, even though the list covers the whole of Grampian, they can state a preferred practice.

"We are on schedule to open in April. The existing community dental service at the High School will transfer to the new practice then, and will provide much better access for people with special needs and for wheelchairs.

"One other chair there will be for general practice use, but it won't be starting in April. We have a problem with recruitment for dental services, but are confident we will fill the vacancy soon."

Mr Stewart added that NHS Grampian was looking at a number of ways to recruit more dentists for the Moray area, and may look to countries in Europe to fill vacancies.

Concern was also expressed at the watchdog group's meeting on Tuesday night about the potential difficulty the health service may have in getting the centre fully operational.

Member James Newlands said he was disappointed that so many newly qualified dentists were opting to go into private practice.

He added: "It annoys me because it was the NHS who trained them: they have got pretty short memories."

It is hoped that new dentist facilities in Buckie, Lossiemouth, Keith, Forres and Elgin will help to reduce the waiting list of people – currently standing at 3,500 – looking to register with practices in Moray.

The Lossiemouth dentist, part of a new health centre development at the town's air base, is due to open on March 3 and will be fully staffed.

Anyone who would like to register with NHS Grampian for dental treatment should contact 0845 456 5990.

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