June 15, 2020
Further to our recent article and in light of dental practices being allowed to re-open on 8th June 2020, we can now provide an update as to the situation regarding Finest Dental.
As we have previously mentioned, B & A Group, the holding company for nine Finest Dental practices across the Midlands and the South of England, entered liquidation on 1st April 2020. Prior to that, as a result of financial pressures, the individual practices were closed and stopped offering dental treatment to patients in December 2019.
This was not as a result of Covid-19 albeit that all dental practices were compelled to close on 25th March 2020 across the UK.
Prior to the holding company being placed in the hands of the liquidators, The Care Clinic Group (CCG) was formed and if you logged on to Finest Dental’s website at the time, you were automatically directed to a holding page for CCG. This would understandably have led to the conclusion for patients that there was a link between the organisations.
If you log onto Finest Dental’s website today, the following message still appears as it did: –
“The current situation regarding Finest Dental is both heart-breaking & deeply regrettable. The circumstances that led to the demise took place totally unexpectedly and were out of the control of the management team; realising the need to attend to the patients, we have worked tirelessly over the last month in order to find a solution to continue the care for our patients.
As a consequence, we have found a solution with the The Care Clinic Group, who will complete outstanding patients’ treatments. We will be assisting the patients and The Care Clinic Group to ensure a smooth transition between providers.
We deeply regret the position that we find ourselves and the patients in. If you wish to arrange an appointment with The Care Clinic Group please visit their website www.CareClinics.co.uk.
We will shortly be publishing a full impartial report for the patients and the public that will outline the circumstances that led to the demise of Finest Dental.”
Any attempts to log onto www.careclinics.co.uk meets with a blank page.
The wording above clearly suggests an association between Finest Dental and CCG and that any patients of Finest Dental will be looked after.
CCG have now sent out a holding email which states the following: –
- “We will imminently be opening a former London site and one in the midlands along with our current sites in Northampton, Wells & Holt, Norfolk.
- Care Clinic Group are opening a booking facility to organise appointments. Please note that no cost will be borne by existing Finest Dental patients for this treatment review, however any necessary treatment will incur a charge that will be conveyed as appropriate.
- We will seek to find the best solution for you, whether it be a discounted course of treatment to finish the existing work or even supporting your claim for a refund
- The Care Clinic Group is in no way associated with Finest Dental”
We are also aware that CCG tried to persuade dental associates from Finest Dental back to work at no remuneration to them in order to conclude courses of treatment.
It is apparent from the above that it is not the intention of the Care Clinic Group to provide a complimentary service to those patients of Finest Dental who have paid for treatment that has either not commenced or is unfinished.
We are also aware that Invisalign have opened up an 0800 line to assist Finest Dental patients but that this is limited to locating an alternative practice who can undertake the work. Invisalign are not financing the costs of any outstanding treatment or reimbursing outstanding fees.
Clearly, this situation is far from ideal. If you are one of the patients who has been “caught in the crossfire” and seeks financial recompense for monies already spent, whether it be on debit card, credit card or by way of independent finance, you may wish to obtain legal advice as to your rights.
If so, please contact Jonathan Jacobs, Head of Healthcare at Prosperity Law on jonathan.jacobs@prosperitylaw.com or 0161 667 3686.
