Current status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 10 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it did not hold a consultation regarding the introduction of regulations to allow for the unannounced inspection of dental practices.
There is no requirement to consult on proposed amendments to the NHS (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations.
However, it is standard practice to inform relevant stakeholders of forthcoming amendments to regulations in advance of their parliamentary laying period. Therefore a copy of proposed amendments to the regulations, including an amendment to allow unannounced dental practice inspections, was sent by officials to the British Dental Association (Scotland) on 7 January 2016.