Scotland Promise Free Dental Services, but Faces Shortage of Dentists
June 18th, 2009
Scotland stated that it would provide free dental services to all the people, but this statement was questioned when statistics revealed that not enough dentist were available at the NHS.
More than a million Scots have not registered with an NHS dentist because they don’t have any access to one. Statistics reported that 41% of children are not registered with an NHS doctor in Grampian and Highland and 71% of the older people (over 60 years) in Argyll and Clyde.
Scotland faces an acute shortage of dentist which adds to the problem of not being able to provide free dental checks. It has to convince more dentists and give them incentives so that they stick to NHS.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has also warned the Scots that the measure undertaken was a very commendable task but it will not be able to fulfill it as a major change in the policy is needed.
The Deputy Health Minister told the press that they are encouraging the dentist to stay at NHS by awarding them with incentives.
The public has different views about this whole issue. They say that a successful free dental checkups for all would not be possible unless everybody gets to access or register with an NHS dentist. The most important aspect of the issue is that there are not enough NHS dentists.
In reply the Deputy Health Minister stated that all his members are working on the problem and that it cannot be resolved in a day’s time. But various measures have been undertaken to develop the dental facilities across Scotland.
Source: medindia.net
You might also like these related dental health articles
- Volunteers to Provide Free Dental Services
- Fight For Saving 46 Free Dental Clinics
- Project Christmas Smile Delivers Free Dental Care
- Free Dental Services Granted and Scheduled
- Back to Community with Free Dental Care Day
Categories: Dental News
It is not surprising and you can’t blame the dentists when there is a huge amount of money up for grabs for private dental surgeons. There could be a system whereby dentists must work for the NHS for a number of years to pay back the training they have received before they can practice privately. This could work like other doctors where they get to do private patients in their own time. Where would we be if all doctors and medical professionals all worked exclusively in provate practice