A Cumnock dental practice has reopened today following a short closure due to "low staffing" and "under funding".

Knockroon Dental Practice released a statement on Monday, October 16, saying they had decided to temporarily close as a result of "low staffing" and "under funding".

All appointments for the week beginning October 16 had been cancelled.

However, now the practice has announced today, Monday, October 23, that is has reopened.

A spokesperson had said their closure had been "a result of low staffing levels due to a lack of NHS dentists available to perform the backlog of dental procedures bestowed on our practice, and the sheer number of emergency dental care we have to provide at a zero rate."

They added: "Continuous under funding within the primary care dental sector and non-payment to the NHS dental practice by the Scottish Government have also led us to close the practice for now.

"We will make endeavours to reach out to as many patients as possible in the coming weeks."

An NHS Ayrshire % Arran spokesperson said: "Further to the communication issued on Monday 16 October regarding the temporary closure of Knockroon Dental Practice in Cumnock, NHS Ayrshire & Arran can confirm that Knockroon Dental Practice reopened to patients on Monday 23 October at 8.30am and will operate normal working hours.

"We would like to thank the patients of the practice for your ongoing support during this difficult time.

"For further information or to answer any other questions, please call the Dental Management Team on 01292 616980, Monday to Friday from 8.30am until 4.30pm.  Alternatively, please email gds@aapct.scot.nhs.uk"