Dentists note progress since payment reform but warn more improvements needed

Dentists have warned Scottish ministers against complacency despite “welcome” progress on payment reform.

A scheme introduced in November means dentists providing NHS treatment receive increased fees.

Check-ups remain free to all patients, with pregnant women and new mothers, those claiming benefits and the under-26s still exempt from charges.

The British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee has now written to public health minister Jenni Minto to warn the measures must not be “the final destination” in reforms.

Its chairman David McColl told Ms Minto that dentists want further improvements on inequalities, access and prevention.

He said: “Changes might make some practices more sustainable today, but they do not provide the foundations for a 21st-century service.”

He referenced a survey of 229 high street dentists in Scotland which showed 66% had noted “improvement” since the payment reform was implemented – but 88% said that cannot be the “final destination”.

A majority (73%) of dentists surveyed said they do not think the system will improve access for NHS patients.

Mr McColl said: “Given the critical place dental services were at, this verdict is welcome news – but there is absolutely no room for complacency.

“The Scottish Government has set goals on improving access and sustainability. These promises must be kept.

“Scotland cannot have NHS dentistry without NHS dentists and this service must be a place which can recruit and retain talent.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Following the implementation of significant NHS dental payment reform from November 1 2023, the Scottish Government is continuing to monitor the impact of these changes on local service delivery, and in particular access to NHS services.

“Statistics published in May of this year show that the reforms are working – with over one million patients seen by an NHS dentist in the first three months of 2024 – and we continue to work closely with NHS Boards in areas where access is proving more challenging.

“In addition to changes to the fees system, we are also engaging with our counterparts across the UK on initiatives to increase our dental workforce capacity through review and improvement to international pipelines.”