Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 20 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will clarify whether the payment that dental practices receive for carrying out NHS dentistry services is reduced to 20% of the relevant fee for patients who have not attended an appointment for three years or longer, and, if so, for what reason it was determined that this funding formula was appropriate, and whether there are any plans to review this.
Capitation payments are paid monthly per patient to NHS dentists to help ensure that patients remain registered. Where a patient does not attend for examination or treatment for a period of greater than 3 years the monthly payment for that patient falls to 20% of the full rate.
This arrangement incentives dentists to re-engage with patients who have not attended for some time to better manage their oral health. There is no intention to review this arrangement.