Rise in NHS dentist numbers is hailed

Published on Tuesday 29 January 2008 12:37

HEALTH Minister Shona Robison today welcomed new figures showing a rise in the number of NHS dentists and an increase in the number of patients registered with them.

The statistics revealed a 2.7 per cent increase in the number of health service dentists across Scotland from 2842 at the end of September 2006 to 2919 on the same date last year.

In Lothian, the total number of dentists working in the NHS on September 30 last year was 496, compared with 478 the previous year and 410 ten years ago.

Across Scotland, 48.6 per cent of adults and 69.9 per cent of children were registered with an NHS dentist – an increase from June 2006, when 46.5 per cent of adults and 67.5 per cent of youngsters were registered. In Lothian, 50.5 per cent of adults and 73.9 per cent of children were registered with a dentist – up from 47.9 per cent of adults and 71.2 per cent of children six months previously.

Ms Robison described the figures as "really encouraging".

Speaking on a visit to the Chalmers Street Dental Centre in Edinburgh she said: "I am very pleased that more people are now registered with an NHS dentist than have been for a number of years."

Ms Robison insisted there was still much to do, she said: "The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to widening access to NHS dentistry.

"But I am not complacent – I know there is still much more to be done and some parts of Scotland still have problems with access to an NHS dentist.

"I am confident that the strategies we have in place and new developments coming on stream will continue to drive improvements like we are seeing in today's figures."