Press release: Major challenges remain for dental services

17 Mar 2005

The Scottish NHS Confederation today welcomed the reform of dental services announced by the Executive but cautioned that achieving them would be a major challenge. 

Scottish NHS Confederation Director Hilary Robertson said: "Our members are enthusiastic on the whole about the reforms announced today, welcoming in particular the emphasis on good oral health and the prevention of dental decay. Giving boards the authority to appoint directly salaried dentists should help them to fill gaps in provision but in the light of the number of dentists currently in training, the target of 200 new dentists by 2008 is challenging."

"General dental practitioners are independent contractors to the NHS and those who opt to stop doing NHS work, do so because private practice is more attractive.  If today's reforms can increase the attractiveness of a career in NHS dentistry by cutting red tape, extending the remote and rural allowance and providing support for premises, they will be a major step forward.  The bursary scheme for students should help but more of a challenge will be  persuading established and more experienced GDPs to return to or to continue treating NHS patients."

Ends

Notes for editors

The Scottish NHS Confederation is an independent membership body representing the majority of Scotland's NHS boards and special health boards.  We are committed to improving health policy and practice.

Contact details

For further information contact:  01786 434 940

Back to media centre