HUME - MORE DENTISTS NEEDED FOR THE BORDERS

12.00.00am GMT Tue 29th Jan 2008

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, has called on the Scottish Government to do more to boost dentist numbers in the Borders.

Official figures published today show little rise in the number of dentists working in the NHS and the number of children and adults registered with the NHS General Dental Services.

Jim Hume said:-

“These figures are not very encouraging given Scotland\rquote s poor oral health record. The Scottish Government must do more to increase the number of dentists in Scotland.

“Liberal Democrats campaigned hard for a third dental school in Aberdeen and we were delighted when the new government confirmed that the previous Executive's commitment to this project would be honoured.

“I was, however, concerned to hear the British Dental Association\rquote s concerns that there may be insufficient academic teachers to staff three Scottish dental schools.

“It is incumbent on the Scottish Government to ensure that the new dental school is built, but also staffed without having a negative impact on the two original schools.

The MSP continued:-

“Ministers must in particular boost access to NHS dentists in the Borders.

“People across the Borders have been removed from patient lists and have been unable to get registered with a new NHS practice, and there are specific long term problems in Hawick and much of Berwickshire.

“The problem is compounded in many Borders towns and villages because of the largely rural nature, and the lack of available and joined up public transport to allow folk to get about. Whereas in a more urban setting it might be possible for someone to walk to the next street or town to look for a new dentist for example, that's simply not possible in smaller, rural communities.

“One constituent remarked to me recently that ‘if something isn't done soon, I'll have no teeth left to go to a dentist for’.

“The situation's unacceptable and the bottom line is that more dentists are needed.”