Scottish dentists concerned over new NHS registration
Many Scottish dentists are concerned after the government announced plans for NHS dental care registration.
Dentistry.co.uk reports that a survey of high street dentists revealed there is a belief that plans for NHS registration could harm patient care.
The dentists believe the registration could discourage patients from getting regular dental appointments.
Other concerns raised in the survey were that the scheme would fail to promote a good relationship between the patient and dentist, that the scheme would mean that potentially fatal conditions like mouth cancer could go undetected, and many dentists felt that the scheme would put a greater strain on the NHS – as irregular visits could result in more serious, costly and lengthy treatments.
Overall 87 per cent of the dentist’s interviewed said they were opposed to the registration idea.
Colin Crawford, chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said that the survey had received an irresistible vote of no confidence and said any changes may undermine the improvements made to Scottish dental health care over the past few years.
He urged the Scottish government to reconsider the plan.
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