Knighton residents left without dental care following the closure of their local surgery last month now have an alternative, though it involves travelling into England.
The My Dentist practice in Wylcwm Place, Knighton, closed its doors on September 30. The clinic had provided both NHS and private dental services since opening, serving local families for years. Its closure has sparked concern and disappointment in the community.
One local resident described the shutdown as “another nail in the coffin” for the town, highlighting the challenges of accessing dental care in the area. In response, the My Dentist clinic in Hereford’s St Owen Street has invited former Knighton patients and other residents without current NHS dental registration to seek treatment at its facility.
David Law, site manager at the St Owen Street practice, explained the offer. “We understand that the local My Dentist in Knighton has now closed,” he said. “We at Hereford are offering an option for those struggling to find a dentist locally, whether they were patients at Knighton or are not listed with any NHS dentist.”
Law emphasised that the clinic does not discriminate and wants to help those most in need. “We have limited additional capacity for NHS examinations in November and December. We also provide affordable private services outside normal opening hours, including two evening clinics per week and a Saturday morning clinic,” he added.
Local officials expressed disappointment over the closure. Knighton Mayor Tom Taylor described it as “bad news” for the town, while Councillor Sally Vaughan called it a “terrible outcome” for residents. In a letter to fellow councillors, Vaughan reflected on the prolonged closure and the dashed hopes of reopening. “We have to try something as the townspeople look to the council for help and guidance. We just cannot sit back and do nothing,” she said.
The news of the Knighton surgery closure first emerged on the Knighton (Powys) Open Forum in early August, prompting widespread concern. Following this, Knighton Town Council reached out to Brecon and Radnorshire Senedd Member James Evans, who raised alarms about the state of NHS dentistry in Mid Wales, describing it as “collapsing.”
Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents. “We understand that this news is frustrating and concerning for residents of Knighton and the surrounding areas,” a PTHB spokesperson said. “Powys Teaching Health Board would like to reassure residents that we are actively exploring options for future dental services in the area.”
For now, Knighton patients must consider travelling to Hereford to maintain access to essential dental care, reflecting the wider challenges of NHS dental provision in rural Mid Wales. While the closure has left a gap in local services, the St Owen Street practice offers a temporary solution for those unable to secure appointments nearby.