GREENOCK, SCOTLAND — A Glasgow-based dentist is planning to open a new dental clinic in Greenock later this year, aiming to help solve the town’s growing shortage of NHS dental care.
Dr. Usman Ullah, an experienced dental professional with 18 years in the field, is behind the proposal. He has submitted a planning application to convert a former furniture shop in the Waterfront Retail Park into a modern dental practice.
“I’m excited to get started and really sink my teeth into this opportunity,” Dr. Ullah said. He hopes the new clinic will bring relief to Greenock residents, many of whom currently travel outside the area to access NHS dental services.
The new facility will feature five treatment rooms and a waiting area designed to seat up to 15 patients. Dr. Ullah plans to incorporate advanced AI, digital, and laser technologies in the practice, aiming to offer cutting-edge care.
Currently, many Greenock residents face long bus or car journeys to access dental care in Renfrewshire. The situation worsened after the MyDentist practice in George Square shut down in June last year. More recently, Ardgowan Dental Practice announced it would stop providing NHS treatments due to low government funding and rising operational costs.
Existing practices in the area are full and not accepting new NHS patients.
Dr. Ullah, who operates Merrylee Dental Practice in Glasgow’s south side, opened that clinic 12 years ago. He also founded a successful dental practice in Edinburgh in 2020, which he sold only a few weeks ago. His decision to open a clinic in Greenock was influenced by the area’s lack of dental services and discussions with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
“I’ve been looking for a new location closer to home, and when I heard about the challenges in Inverclyde, it felt like the right move,” he said.
Pending approval, the new Greenock practice could provide much-needed care to a community in urgent need of local dental support.
