One third of Scottish adults have problems accessing NHS dentistry
The proportion of adults reporting problems has increased from 20% in 2019.
More than one third (34%) of Scottish adults have experienced difficulties accessing NHS dentistry, according to a government survey.
The most common problems were securing a suitable appointment (12%), treatment being too expensive (10%) and not receiving treatment under the NHS (7%). The proportion of adults reporting problems has increased from 23% in 2021 and 20% in 2019. It has now reached its highest level since 2009, when the figure stood at 35%.
In 2023, 63% of adults had visited the dentist within the past year. This figure was higher in females at 66% compared with 58% in males.
Adults aged 45-64 were most likely to have visited the dentist within a year (67-69%) while those aged 16-24 were least likely (54%). Those aged 75 and over were most likely to have last visited the dentist more than five years ago (18%).
Just under three quarters (72%) of those who had visited the dentist in the past five years were treated on the NHS. Young adults aged 16-24 were the most likely to have received only NHS care (82%) and least likely to report using only private care (14%). Those aged 25-34 showed the opposite, with 66% receiving only NHS care and 28% receiving only private treatment.
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