Current status: Answered by Alison Thewliss on 1 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure adequate access to NHS dentistry in rural areas.
The Scottish Government has committed to respond directly to the concerns of rural and island communities which includes the review and refreshment of existing financial incentives available to the sector, such as Golden Hello payments, to better support patient access in rural and island areas. This work is currently underway and we hope to have revised arrangements in place later in this financial year.
In the meantime, we continue to make available a range of additional financial support to areas where access is particularly challenging, including rural and Island areas.