NHS Lanarkshire’s Free Dental Scheme Helps Thousands to Achieve a Healthy New Smile

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A dental scheme launched by NHS Lanarkshire has helped thousands of people achieve happier, healthier smiles, completely free of charge.

The Dental Outreach Centre, based at the Buchanan Centre in Coatbridge, has been providing free treatment for five years now and 2,000 people have benefited from the scheme. The outreach programme is designed to cater for unregistered patients needing treatment. Final year students studying dental hygiene, dentistry and dental therapy provide the service under the supervision of qualified professionals. The centre boasts 14 fully-equipped treatment rooms and serves patients from all over Scotland.

Thomas McLaughlin from Uddingston is one of the 2,000 people the scheme has helped over the years. The 72 year old was suffering with painful gums and decided to contact the centre after hearing about it from his niece. At first, he admitted to being sceptical but is delighted with the care he has received and will be recommending the service to people in similar situations.

Dr Paul Hazlett, a senior dentist at the practice, said the aim is to provide those who are not registered with a dentist with the treatment they need and then encourage them to join a local surgery list. The centre provides a single course of treatment per patient for free. Appointments may take a little longer than normal, but the quality of care is high. The scheme is open to people aged over 16 years of age who are not registered with a dentist.

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