Ridgewood (Colo.) Family Dentistry is closing due to staffing challenges and being unable to find a buyer, according to an Aug. 18 report by Ouray County Plaindealer.
Michael Thomas, DMD, bought the practice from another dentist 17 years ago. After searching for a potential buyer for the past two years, the practice is closing and Dr. Thomas is set to retire.
Staffing shortages, especially of dental hygienists, were a problem for the practice. At one point, the practice was paying $70 an hour for a hygienist. Recently, the practice only had a part-time hygienist, who quit six weeks ago.
In addition to staffing woes, the practice could not keep up with declining insurance reimbursements.
Patients of the practice received a letter last week saying that appointments scheduled after Aug. 28 would be canceled, the report said.