Don't contact Hillside Dental Practice directly, says Manx Care

Practice inundated with calls after announcement that waiting list is being assigned there

People waiting for an NHS dentist on the Isle of Man are being urged not to contact Hillside Dental Practice directly.

Last month government announced all 5,800 currently on the waiting list will be transferred there.

Manx Care took over Hillside in December last year and it became 'fully functional' in February this year.

Since the Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, while acting as interim health minister, said all those waiting would be assigned to the practice staff are receiving a 'high volume of calls' from people trying to get registered.

Those wanting to get on the waiting list are asked to email dental@gov.im with their name, date of birth, address and phone number.

Anyone already on the list will be contacted by Primary Care Services in due course.

The healthcare provider is currently discussing the possibility of introducing specific eligibility requirements to register with an NHS dentist.

Around 43,000 people on the Island are registered with an NHS dentist with an additional 5,800 on the waiting list.

Manx Care believes that if the Island adopted the UK's eligibility criteria only 18,000 residents would qualify for NHS dental care.