Access to NHS dentists improves in the Western Isles
Figures published by ISD Scotland show that access to NHS dental services has improved in the Western Isles.
The figures show that there has been an increase in patient registrations of 5,147 since March 2007; 58 percent of people in the area are now registered with an NHS dentist.
The figures are promising but they show that more needs to be done to improve access to dental services; the statistics for the Western Isles are lower than the national average and rates for children are much lower than in urban areas. Just 52 percent of children are registered with an NHS dentist, in comparison to a national average of 83 percent.
Public Health Minister Shona Robinson welcomed the news and said that the figures proved that investment in NHS services was paying off; however, the figures were viewed more cautiously by Liberal Democrat Jamie Stone, as the report showed significant differences between rural and urban areas.
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