By Lucy Ashton
Dentists complain the Scottish Government has created a two-tier system where those living in poverty who cannot afford private dentistry get lesser care.
Furious dentists say the service is on its knees with a recruitment crisis and a crippling lack of funding.
This situation is preventing them giving NHS patients appropriate treatment, it has been claimed.
It has led to dentists leaving the health service in frustration and more newly-qualified experts preferring to treat paying patients.
Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, left, said: “It is clear that the SNP’s catastrophic failure to support Scottish NHS dentists has led to this position.
“It is extremely concerning that dentists within West Dunbartonshire are facing financial difficulties with little or no support from the Scottish Government.
“We know already that the very existence of NHS dentistry in Scotland is on the line, with the current funding model leading to privatisation by the back door, leaving those in deprived areas, such as West Dunbartonshire, among the worst affected. This cannot be allowed to continue.
“Humza Yousaf [the Scottish Health Secretary] must wake up to the crisis facing NHS dentistry before it reaches the point of no return.
“Dental care in Scotland cannot be allowed to become the privilege of the few who can afford to go private and we must support the dentists who are working extremely hard.”
Dentists complain the Scottish Government has created a two-tier system where those living in poverty who cannot afford private dentistry get lesser care.
A British Dental Association survey reported that 80 per cent of operators estimate their practices will reduce their NHS commitment should the Scottish Government withdraw emergency support and return to pre-Covid models of care.
Dentists had been assured there would be a complete overhaul of the payments system for two years but nothing has been done.
Some patients have not had a routine appointment for more than two years and dentists fear the lengthy backlog means they could wait even longer.
Sheila Macintyre, a founding member of the Scottish Dental Association said: “We have got backlogs of treatment, we have got a real recruitment crisis.
“NHS dentistry couldn’t be frowned upon any more than it is just now. The recruitment side of things is set to get worse because young dentists that are coming out are not wanting to do NHS dentistry. They are moving abroad, they are leaving the profession or they are staying within the hospital system. It is not a pretty picture for dentistry right now.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The new system being introduced next month will support dentists to see more
patients while avoiding a cliff-edge for practices and ensuring a soft transition during what is still a constrained period for dental teams.”