That the Parliament is concerned by the availability of NHS dentistry provision, with specific concerns relating to some dental practices reportedly making the decision to no longer provide dentistry on the NHS for adult patients; understands that the operators of Breeze Dental Care in Fife have indicated their intention to restrict the NHS dental care that they provide to only those under the age of 26, affecting patients of both their Cowdenbeath and Cardenden practices; further understands that this decision has caused considerable stress for existing patients, who have reportedly been told that the only option to remain with the practice is to sign up to a private payment plan, which many cannot afford; regrets the reported anxiety that this has caused for some patients who have used the same dental practice for many decades of their life and are now unable to find any other dentists in their local area accepting new NHS dental patients; is troubled by situations such as this when a dentist decides to no longer offer NHS dental treatment, but existing patients have no recourse to move to another dentist due to a lack of availability in the provision; believes that this situation is unfair and risks disrupting continuity of care, which can be vital for people who have attended a local dentist for much of their life; understands that, in responding to this latest practice removing NHS provision, NHS Fife has said that "There is a national shortage of qualified dentists currently and this remains a significant issue impacting NHS dentistry across Scotland, including here in Fife", and that "Health Boards like NHS Fife have no means of compelling practices to provide NHS dental services, and with the shift over recent years from smaller NHS-run practices to larger corporate entities, we have very limited influence over practice decisions", and notes the belief that, as a result of many people across the Mid Scotland and Fife region, as well as across Scotland, finding it difficult to access NHS dentistry, the Scottish Government should review the availability of provision as well as what action can be taken to ensure that people remain able to access NHS dentistry.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Foysol Choudhury, Murdo Fraser, Monica Lennon, Pauline McNeill, Carol Mochan, Willie Rennie, Martin Whitfield, Brian Whittle, Beatrice Wishart