Securing a dental appointment in the Bigouden region of Brittany can be a difficult task, especially for new patients. According to a dental office on rue de Goarem Guéon, in Pont-l’Abbé, “It’s the same everywhere in Brittany. There are not enough practitioners to meet demand, even if the numerus clausus has increased. But forming a dentist takes time [au moins six ans, NDLR]. We are regularly contacted by peopel who have established themselves in recent years in the region, and who, for lack of alternative, continue to consult in their metropolis of origin.”

appointment Difficulties

Many of the 48 dental professionals in the Bigouden area have indicated they are unable to accept new patients. Online appointment platforms like Doctolib show no available slots with dentists in the region.

“We are trying to take, punctually, new patients but, at the moment, this is no longer possible. The agenda is complete.”

Reports indicate that attempts to contact around fifteen dental practices in September were largely unsuccessful, with answering machines directing callers to leave their information for a later callback. A retired dentist in Pont-l’Abbé, located rue du Général de Gaulle, was unable to find a successor and has mailed patient files to those he has seen in the last five years.

The secretariat of the dental office on rue de Ty Lez, in Combrit, stated, “We are trying to take, punctually, new patients but, at the moment, this is no longer possible.The agenda is complete.” The Penmarc’h dental office has a message stating, “For new patients, we will contact you according to our availability,” while a dentist in Loctudy accepts new patients “when possible.”

Hope on the Horizon?

The dental practice in the craft zone of Kerlavar, in Plonéour-Lanvern, reports that its four dentists are accepting new patients. Additionally, a new dental center is planned to open in guilvinec before the summer of 2026, featuring three care rooms, a surgical room, a waiting room, and two apartments for practitioners.

However,three dentists from the Bigouden region are expected to relocate to Bénodet,in the Glénan activity park,raising concerns about the long-term impact on patient access.