Confusion over Cupar dentist closure plan as appointments cancelled

NHS Fife is urgently trying to clarify the situation after patients learned of the upcoming changes via social media posts.

By Claire Warrender

April 25 2025, 6:15am

The Cupar Dentist, in Castle Street, has begun alerting patients. Image: Google Street View

A Cupar dental practice is preparing to close, with scores of patients learning the news via social media.

The Cupar Dentist is run by Edinburgh-based Real Good Dental, which recorded a £10.4 million loss in 2023.

The Castle Street practice sent a text to some patients last week saying they are stopping all work apart from emergencies.

Real Good DENTAL HQ in Edinburgh — Real Good Dental is based in Queen Street, Edinburgh. Image: Google Street View.

It has since emerged it has been unable to recruit a dentist and will likely close at the start of May.

A number of people reacted with shock and confusion as the news began to break on Facebook this week.

Many said they had not been alerted and had only heard of the move from other patients.

And others said they had been asked to settle bills for unfinished treatment without being told the practice is closing.

One man said: “It’s a sad state of affairs when you have to learn this through social media.”

NHS Fife urgently trying to clarify Cupar dentist situation

The Cupar Dentist confirmed the closure when The Courier called but could give no further details.

However, Real Good Dental has yet to respond to our enquiries.

NHS Fife is urgently trying to clarify the situation.

In the meantime, it is urging patients to call its dental advice line to find out which practices are taking on NHS cases.

A spokesperson said: “NHS Fife’s Public Dental Service very recently became aware of intended changes at The Cupar Dentist.

“This followed contact from patients who had received a notification from the practice about the upcoming developments.

MSP for North East Fife Willie Rennie. — MSP for North East Fife Willie Rennie has expressed concern about the Cupar dentist closure plan. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

“We have urgently reached out to the practice operators to better understand their intentions and seek assurances that patients will continue to receive a good standard of care.”

The spokesperson said a national shortage of dentists is having a significant impact, including in Fife.

And they added: “Several factors contribute to this, including recruitment challenges and the shift from smaller NHS-run practices to larger corporate entities, which means individual health boards have only very limited influence over practice decisions.”

How to access emergency dental care

The upcoming Cupar dentist closure follows the demise of dental practices in Newburgh, Leven and Glenrothes.

North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie blamed the situation on a low level of income for NHS work.

He said: “The dental crisis is only getting worse despite endless SNP Government promises that they have solved the problems.

Banbeath Dental Practice in Leven has closed. Image: Andrew Robson/DC Thomson

“It means patients have to pay significant sums to go private or wait for a very long time to see an NHS dentist, if they manage to get registered in the first place.”

Real Good Dental set up in Fife in 2012 and now runs dozens of clinics across the UK.

Access to NHS Fife emergency care can be arranged by calling the dental advice line on 01592 226555.

Further information is available on the NHS Fife website at www.nhsfife.org/publicdental.