Children across Scotland waiting more than a year for inpatient and outpatient dental appointments
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Liberal Democrats
Children in at least ten Scottish health boards had to wait more than a year for a dental inpatient appointment last year, according to figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act also show that children in at least nine health boards had to wait more a year than for a dental outpatient appointment last year, with patients in five health boards waiting more than two years.
Adam Harley MSP, the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Toothcare should be like any other form of medical treatment: universally accessible and close to home.
“We’re committed to finding solutions and getting things done. We have a plan to end dental deserts and make sure everyone can register with and see an NHS dentist.”
The party’s plans include:
- Incorporating dentistry into a rolling, 10-year NHS and care workforce plan, and addressing the shortage of dental nurses and technicians.
- Bringing dentists back to the NHS from the private sector and retaining dentists by creating more opportunities for career development, including an expansion of Enhanced Skills Practitioners.
- Creating a structured and supportive environment for overseas-qualified dentists to provide NHS dentistry in Scotland, following the UK Government’s big expansion of their routes to registration.
- Reinvigorating the schemes for people in vulnerable groups to ensure that they can always get the appointments and check-ups they need, with every care home getting regular visits from a dentist.