This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Praise for NHS dentists
21/04/2005
The hard work of NHS dentists around the country was
praised during a debate in the Scottish Parliament
today.
Deputy Minister for Health Rhona Brankin said:
"Last month I announced record funding for NHS dentistry
in Scotland, to recruit and retain dentists in the NHS.
"A small number of dentists continue to turn their backs
on the NHS to work in the private sector. We know that some
people are willing and able to pay for private treatment,
but we also know that many are now being forced unwillingly
into that position.
"Some dentists are being selective in choosing whom they
treat under the NHS, for example, forcing parents to go
private if they want their children's care to be within the
NHS.
"This is simply not good enough. It is simply not
acceptable to train at the taxpayer's expense, to build up
an NHS list, to gain the trust and confidence of patients
then to walk away. Patients deserve better than this.
"I know the vast majority of NHS dentists are committed
- to their patients and to the NHS. And I want to thank
them for that. They will be rewarded for their loyalty
through the measures we have announced.
"We want to restore the balance, so that patients who
want NHS care can receive it, and from dentists who are
supported by and committed to the NHS."
Figures from the British Dental Association show that a
full-time, wholly-committed NHS dentist can expect to earn
between £51,000 and £65,000 a year, excluding expenses.
A typical, two-person practice with an annual turnover
of £200,000 can expect to gain an additional £25,000 as the
direct result of the measures announced by the Executive
last month.