Question reference: S6W-00273
- Date lodged: 27 May 2021
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 9 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding whether NHS dentistry patients have been placed at a disadvantage compared with those receiving private treatment because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Answer
The Scottish Government has worked closely with NHS Boards and dental practices to ensure that patients receive the best possible NHS care subject to the constraints placed upon the sector during the period of the Covid pandemic.
At the start of the pandemic a comprehensive network of urgent dental care centres was established to ensure continuity of emergency dental care services. A carefully managed and evidence based process of gradually reintroducing routine dental care culminated in the availability of the full range of NHS dental services from 1 st November 2020. Private dental services are required to mirror these arrangements.