Question reference: S6W-05086
- Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 13 December 2021
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 23 December 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for people who are unable to pay for dental services due to an increase in charges that are reportedly a result of NHS dental care services being reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
We have set out our ambitious plan to remove NHS dental charges in this Parliament. As a first step to delivering this Manifesto Commitment, we introduced on 24 August 2021 changes to abolish dental charges for all young people between 18 and 25 years of age.
There are a present set of arrangements in place to ensure that vulnerable groups in the community are protected. For example, pensioners in receipt of pension credit guarantee credit are automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment. Others on low incomes may be entitled to full or partial help with health costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).
Scotland is the only part of the UK where free examinations are available to NHS patients.
NHS registered patients are entitled to a full range of NHS care and treatment. While dentists are able to offer private care and treatment they must also advise NHS patients of the treatment available to them under NHS arrangements.