The Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson MSP has officially opened a new dental practice in Burnbank.
He was present at the McKirdy and Morrison Dental Practice at 70 Burnbank Centre, on Wednesday 8 August along with the chief dental officer for Scotland, Margie Taylor.
The brand new facility – which has four surgeries – was built thanks to a substantial grant from NHS Lanarkshire’s Primary and Community Care Modernisation Fund and funding from the Scottish Government’s Primary and Community Care Premises Modernisation Programme.
The practice’s owners Graham McKirdy and Bryce Morrison have been providing dental care in Burnbank since 1982. The location of their new facility is on the site of a former local bingo hall.
Bryce Morrison said: “All the staff are delighted to have moved into our new base and all our patients have told us how they’re really enjoying using the new facility.
“Everyone who has been in has been very complimentary about it saying how modern and fresh it looks as well as commenting on the new features.
“As well as the four surgeries, we also have a dedicated decontamination room.
“As a family practice we also have three Childsmile nurses and a dedicated Childsmile room where mothers with young children can be given preventative oral hygiene advice in a non-clinical, relaxed environment.
“Our ground floor location means we also fully comply with the Disability Discrimination Act as the building is now fully accessible.”
Kieran Watters, NHS Lanarkshire’s dental practice advisor, said: “We were delighted to work in partnership with the practice to help it build this fantastic modern facility.
“It is NHS Lanarkshire’s aim to provide good access to dental facilities in all local communities and we’re sure the new practice will bring positive oral health benefits to the residents in the local area.”
Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said: “This fantastic new facility is yet another example of the investment that has been made all over Scotland in our NHS premises to create a health service fit for the 21st century.
“I know that patients and staff alike will welcome the fact that dental treatment can now take place in these modern facilities.
“The development was made possible through the Scottish Government’s Primary and Community Care Premises Modernisation Programme which has distributed £75 million, via NHS Boards, to primary care premises across Scotland.”
Graham McKirdy said: “We would like to thank all our partners who worked with us on this project.
“This includes NHS Lanarkshire, Alexander Braidwood Construction from Blantyre, the architect Kenneth Martin from Hamilton and the supplier of our new dental equipment Henry Schein from Clydebank.
“It was very satisfying to have so many local partners as it meant the development also provided an economic boost to the local community.”
The other dentists in the practice are Christine Raeburn and Pat O'Neil and there are two hygienists.
The practice is actively registering new NHS patients and if you would like to find out more call 01698 422 712.