Dental managers suggest it could take months to clear backlogs in Forth Valley
Dental managers at NHS Forth Valley have warned patients that it could take months to clear backlogs caused by the pandemic.
The senior dental management team recently issued a statement indicating that it could take some time for routine services to resume and patients to be able to book appointments for non-urgent treatment.
Like teams across the UK, dentists in Forth Valley are currently working through backlogs, prioritising patients who need urgent care as well as those who have had courses of treatment disrupted or delayed during the crisis.
In addition to backlogs caused by the initial closure of practices, teams are dealing with restrictions, which mean that patient numbers are currently limited. This means that it will take longer to work through patient lists.
In an open letter to local residents, the management team explains that although the green light for routine treatment has been given, it could be some time before practices return to ‘normal.’ Patients have been advised to wait for routine treatment and to treat dental teams with respect and compassion at what is a very difficult time for the profession.
Dentists, the letter states, share the same frustrations as patients, and they are doing everything possible to ensure that patients get the treatment they need.
Despite the backlogs and increased pressure on services, managers have stressed that anybody who needs immediate, emergency care should not hesitate to contact their dentist.
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