Several dental practices in the north-east have opened their doors to NHS patients, but less than one-quarter overall are accepting new patients.
There are just a handful available across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, with the situation even more dire in Moray.
Clients registering with their local dentist could be waiting months for their first appointment.
And it’s feared the backlog – driven by Covid and Brexit – is causing some to leave the NHS to go private.
Where has the backlog come from?
At the start of the pandemic, dentists were only allowed perform emergency procedures.
This had a knock-on effect for dental schools, as students couldn’t access the real-world experience needed to finish their studies.
Of the three courses running in Scotland, Aberdeen’s was the only one able to produce graduates last year.
Additionally, there’s been a drop in the number of EU dentists applying to work for the NHS post-Brexit.
Meanwhile some practices are reducing or even ending their commitments to the NHS.
It’s raised fears that, without further intervention, the situation could become even worse.
Where can I register just now?
As it stands, there are 11 dentists in Aberdeen taking on new NHS patients:
- Bridge Street Aesthetic & Dental Clinic: 01224 588477
- Dyce Dental Practice: 01224 722662
- Grandholm Dental Clinic: 01224 701890
- Kincorth Dental Practice: 01224 872684
- Kingswells Dental Practice: 01224 749361
- Mastrick Dental Centre: 01224 692288
- Oldmachar Dental Care: 01224 827095
- Old Town Dental Care, King Street: 01224 483666
- Peterculter Dental Practice: 01224 730111
- Rankin & Associates, Bridge of Don: 01224 820775
- Woodside Dental Practice: 01224 524444
In Aberdeenshire, there are six:
- Inverurie – Inverurie Dental Practice: 01467 622136
- Inverurie – Mint Dental Care: 01467 621264
- Inverurie – Smile: 01467 629909
- Stonehaven – Market Square Dental Practice: 01569 762419
- Westhill – Abercrombie Dental Practice: 01224 745447
- Westhill – Abercrombie Smile Design: 01224 742513
There are no practices available in Moray.
If someone requires urgent treatment and they aren’t registered with a practice, they’re able to get treatment from the Public Dental Service.
NHS Grampian maintains a monthly list of available dental practices and operates an advice helpline on 0345 45 65 990.
What happens next?
NHS Grampian is offering grants up to £25,000 to dentists willing to set up shop in Moray and north Aberdeenshire.
Jonathan Iloya, NHS Grampian’s director of dentistry, said: “We are doing our utmost to support NHS dentistry in the region, and I hope our efforts will attract the profession to come and set up and practise.”
The Scottish Government previously implemented a “multiplier” on the sums it would receive for treating NHS patients, topping up payments as the industry returned to normal.
But this has decreased from 1.7x to 1.3x and David McColl, chairman of the BDA’s Scottish dental practice committee, is accusing ministers of “playing with fire”.
“This multiplier helped ensure NHS dentists received fees for care that actually covered their costs,” he added.
“Slashing them will leave colleagues churning out dentures at a loss while thinking twice about their future.”
But a government spokeswoman said the “unprecedented” levels of support combined with the easing of Covid restrictions means NHS practices can deliver “normal” levels of activity.
She added: “Under this government there has been a 32% increase in dentists providing NHS dental services in Scotland.”
Conversation