NHS dental registrations in Scotland are up by 2 million in the 10 years of the SNP Government according to newly published figures.
At the end of September 2016, 92% (4.9 million) of the Scottish population were registered with an NHS dentist. This includes 94% of adults living in the most deprived areas compared to 85% in the least deprived.
Of those registered, by September last year, 72% (3.5 million) of those registered had seen a dentist within the last two years. This is a 36% increase from the 2.56 million who participated in the two years prior to September 2006.
Children are more likely than adults to have seen an NHS dentist within the last two years (85% compared to 68%).
Kenneth Gibson said:
“These new figures are very encouraging and show the great progress that has been made in the last 10 years under the SNP Government following substantial investment in dental services. Availability has improved substantially and we remain committed to ensuring that everybody who wants access to NHS dental services can receive it.
“To help address child dental health inequalities we will, as part of the Fairer Scotland Action Plan 2016, from 01t April 2017 extend coverage of the ‘Childsmile’ national oral health improvement programme to reach even more deprived communities.”
ENDS
