Angus dentist expresses fears over funding cuts
A dentist from Angus has expressed concern over the impact of funding cuts for affluent areas, which have been introduced to raise more cash for deprived areas.
Gary Grime, owner of Monifieth Dental and Health Clinic, is worried that the enforcement of the Oral Health Improvement Plan will mean that funding is cut in more affluent areas to make more money available for deprived regions. Mr Grime believes that the number of paid treatments will fall from 400 to 100, and as a result, he is now introducing a membership scheme at his clinic. Mr Grime suspects that continuing to provide NHS treatment under the new guidelines will no longer reflect the best option for him, and he is bringing in a membership option at a cost starting at £5 to provide patients with access to 6-monthly check-ups.
Mr Grime said that the shake-up, which will come into play in July, will have a dramatic impact on his practice and suggested that NHS patients will be penalised. A lack of availability of routine checks is likely to have a knock-on effect on standards of oral health.
Local MSP Bill Bowman has called for Shona Robison, health secretary, to provide guarantees for Tayside patients and urged her to secure NHS treatment for patients across the country.
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