Question reference: S5W-30862
- Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 21 July 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 12 August 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of private patients being allowed to access the full range of dental treatments from 13 July 2020, for what reason only a limited number of NHS treatments were made available.
Answer
In a letter to private healthcare providers on 1 June the National Clinical Director and the Chief Dental Officer highlighted the importance of the entire independent healthcare sector, including independent dentists, following the spirit of the route map and supporting key public health messages. We would encourage all independent dentists to follow the guidance that has been issued in order to protect patients and staff.
The health and safety of all patients and staff attending dental practices remains our primary consideration and in taking a phased approach we are seeking to balance the overall risk of infection with the needs of patients to be seen by dentists. Our overarching aim is to save lives.
NHS dentists are now permitted, under our route map for dentistry, to offer a range of treatments including aerosol generating procedures for patients in need of urgent dental care.