AN EXPERT source has sunk his teeth into controversial plans to close a specialist dental unit at Inverclyde Royal.

A well-placed source within the medical profession claims the board provided ‘inaccurate and misleading information’ in a statement released to justify shutting the service.

The proposals put forward by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) would see IRH’s oral surgery department going to Glasgow dental school and the orthodontic service moving to Greenock Health Centre.

But the statement supporting the switch has been rubbished by an insider.

A board spokeswoman said neither the IRH dental rooms, which she said are available only four days a week, nor the on-site dental laboratory meet current infection control standards, and the laboratory would need ‘substantial’ financial investment to upgrade to an appropriate level.

Commenting on the health board’s recent comments in the Tele, our source said: “Contrary to what the board have said, the surgeries are, in fact, available every day of the week.

“The surgeries have recently been refurbished and are ideal for the specialty. There are no reported issues with health and safety or infection control.

“Why is £50,000 being spent at the health centre when a purpose-built unit is available in IRH?

“The loss of the laboratory will cause inconvenience to patients and staff, with the gold standard already provided in IRH being thrown away.

“Patients will require more appointments, resulting in a significant reduction in efficiency and increase in costs.” The shakeup of dental services has sparked fears that jobs could go — and our source says those concerns are well-founded.

The insider said: “Will the loss of in-house lab services lead to job losses as well as a poorer service? Outsourcing this service to a private lab simply does not make sense.” Management at NHSGGC insist that the proposals have the backing of the senior clinicians responsible for oral health services.

They added: “We have entered discussions with the four part-time and two full-time members of staff in the orthodontic unit with a view to transferring the service in the summer.

“No member of staff will suffer detriment as a result of the transfer of the service to improved facilities.”