Press release: Modern dental service needs imaginative solutions

20 Apr 2005

In a briefing to MSPs ahead of the Health Committee's debate on access to dental health services in Scotland on Thursday 21 April, the Scottish NHS Confederation has called on Scotland's political leaders to join the NHS in thinking imaginatively about how to build a modern NHS dental service attractive to both dentists and patients.

In its briefing the Confederation welcomed the recent announcement by the Executive of the reform of dental services but said the extent of the challenge involved in achieving the reforms should not be underestimated. 
Scottish NHS Confederation Director Hilary Robertson said: "The decision to give boards the authority to appoint directly salaried dentists is welcome. The Confederation believes the measure will go some way towards filling gaps in provision. However, in the light of the number of dentists currently in training, the target of 200 new dentists set by the Executive by 2008 will not be easily met."

She continued: "Increasing the attractiveness of a career in NHS dentistry by cutting red tape, extending the remote and rural allowance and providing support for premises may be sufficient to achieve a major step forward.  The bursary scheme for students should also help but more of a challenge will be persuading established and more experienced GDPs to return to, or to continue, treating NHS patients."

Ms Robertson concluded: "The NHS and Scotland's political leaders will need to continue to think imaginatively about how to build a modern NHS dental service attractive to both dentists and patients." 

The Scottish NHS Confederation is an independent membership body representing Scotland's NHS boards and special health boards.  It is part of the UK-wide NHS Confederation and is committed to improving health policy and practice.

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Notes for editors

For further information contact: Donald Crichton on 01786 434 943 or 0775582123

Contact details

For further information contact: Donald Crichton on 01786 434 943 or 0775582123

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