Here are five practice closure updates Becker’s has reported on since April:
1. Cleveland-based MetroHealth will close one of its dental clinics Oct. 3 to cut costs amid financial challenges. The dental clinic is one of six office closures the health system announced Aug. 25 as part of its budget restabilization plan.
The health system said expanding its footprint over the last decade has led to a duplication of services and operational inefficiencies. The closures are aimed at streamlining its operations and increasing access at single locations.
2. Dental Group Orthodontics in Dumas, Texas, closed its doors Aug. 5. The practice announced the closure in a Facebook post, recommending that patients continue their care at its office in Amarillo, Texas. A reason for the closure was not given.
3. Orange, Calif.-based Western Dental warned in May that it may be forced to close up to 50 of its practice locations if proposed cuts to the Medi-Cal dental program were to advance. Western Dental said the proposition provided funding that allowed it to open more than 100 new locations in California. The proposal would have decreased dental insurance reimbursement rates, which would have made it difficult for the DSO to keep locations open.
4. The office of Scott Ervin, DDS, closed temporarily in May after the sudden passing of Dr. Ervin. The practice, which is located in Terrell, Texas, announced on its Facebook page that it would be temporarily closed as it transitions to new ownership.
The practice reopened June 11 after hiring a new dentist to resume patient care.
5. The Orange County Health Care Agency closed its emergency dental clinic in Santa Ana, Calif., due to federal funding cuts. The healthcare agency reportedly lost five grants, totaling $13 million, which led to the closure of several other facilities.
