Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Vivanta closes all its dental clinics, including six in Tenerife
Vivanta has closed all its dental clinics as of this Tuesday, 27 October, including the six that had been operating normally in Tenerife until last week. The company, which is in a critical financial position, informed its workforce on Monday that all its premises were to close their doors for the time being. Not only that: staff were also told to hand over the keys more or less immediately, with barely any time to inform customers and without knowing whether the clinics will ever reopen.
A financial crisis and an expired takeover offer
The brand is going through a severe financial crisis that has led to the closure of all its clinics, a decision taken after the purchase offer submitted by Donte Group, the owner of Vitaldent, expired. The company, which is in insolvency proceedings, had received a €40 million public bailout in 2022, the status of which remains pending a ruling from Brussels.
The crisis also affects Vivanta Canarias and, specifically, six establishments spread across the island: Tenerife Tres de Mayo I, San Cristóbal, El Sobradillo, Puerto de la Cruz, El Médano and Costa Adeje. Two other centres, in La Laguna and Los Realejos, had already closed in August.
Confusion among staff and patients
Confusion is at its height, both among employees and customers. One of the workers at the clinic in Tres de Mayo says a “very large” number of patients have been left stranded, as many of them had treatments already paid for and under way: “Some were left with their implants but without prostheses because we weren’t given any notice – they told us on Monday and today (Tuesday) all the centres opened with their doors shut.” According to her account, all employees joined an online meeting in which they were told the clinics would close that same day. “We had to hand over the keys and the little we know is that we won’t be paid this month’s salary,” she adds.
She explains that staff were only able to notify patients who had appointments that day, as well as hand over documentation and invoices. “They ask us for explanations and we don’t have any; we’re being insulted and attacked because there are many people who don’t understand it,” she stresses.
Company message points patients to other professionals
The company’s only explanation on Tuesday morning was on its website. Users who clicked on its platform found the following message: “Due to the temporary suspension of care activity, we currently do not have the means to provide dental care. If you have pain, swelling or another complication, we recommend that you go without delay to a professional or health centre for an assessment.”
Social media fills with pleas for help
In these first hours, social media has filled with comments from customers asking for help. “I had already paid for almost the whole treatment and they’ve left me halfway through – I’ve got my braces on and there’s still a lot to sort out. What can I do in this situation? Has the same happened to anyone else? I’ve tried to contact them but nobody answers and I’m quite worried,” one user posted on Facebook.
Facua launches platform for affected customers
Meanwhile, the consumer organisation Facua has set up a platform for affected customers explaining the steps to follow in order to claim back money for treatments already paid for. The General Council of Dentists, for its part, published a statement on Tuesday lamenting the consequences and describing it as “intolerable” that, while negotiations for the sale of the group were ongoing, thousands of patients had been left in a situation of uncertainty.
“The closure of its clinics has represented a new and serious episode of patient unprotectedness in the dental sector; we are not talking solely about the buying and selling of a company, but about the health of thousands of people who trusted these centres to receive healthcare,” said its president, Óscar Castro, in the statement.
What’s happening in the Canaries – straight to your phone
News, weather alerts and practical updates – direct from the islands, in English. We live here and know what’s going on – before the international media catch up. Everything lands on our WhatsApp channel – no middlemen, no algorithm. Curated for families, expats and travelers.
Civil Guard warns of digital skimming threat to online shoppers
Tenerife shifts FDCAN funds from roads to housing
PSOE warns Arrecife plan could ‘bury’ El Cable beach in concrete
Canary Islands faces loss of 20% of self-employed workers
Canary Islands to get 26 new substations by 2030
Canary Islands poverty rates stuck since pandemic
Court backs eviction over verbal room rental in Arona
Canary Islands pushes for 10-year residency rule for foreign buyers
Canary Islands public websites locked down over PHP security flaw
