Question reference: S5W-31877
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 17 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 28 September 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason some routine dentist treatments are available privately but not to NHS patients.
Answer
We are actively looking at how we fully remobilise NHS dental services as soon as possible and we have been increasing the range of dental treatments available with each phase of the remobilisation plan. This has culminated in reintroducing certain aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), including fillings for patients in need of urgent dental care, into NHS practice from 17 August.
All dentists are subject to the same requirements to control the spread of coronavirus and take all reasonable measures to ensure safe practice in the controlled environment that we are currently operating. In a letter to private healthcare providers on 1 June the National Clinical Director and the Chief Dental Officer highlighted the importance of all independent dentists, whether carrying out NHS work or working privately, following the spirit of the route map and supporting key public health measures.