Dundee LibDems welcome 'dentist for everyone' pledge
Michael Charlton, Dundee West LibDem candidate, today (Friday 6th April) welcomed the Scottish Liberal Democrat pledge for a new £40 million plan to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to a NHS dentist.
In addition to launching this key manifesto pledge, the Liberal Democrat have announced a new dental action plan to deliver 200 more dentists, a new Dental School and more dental check ups in schools.
Michael said, "Scottish Liberal Democrats have already introduced free dental checks across Scotland, but in many areas finding a NHS dentist can be really difficult.
"That is why we will launch a new recruitment drive to bring in an additional 200 dentists to Scotland to work primarily as salaried NHS dentists. We will prioritise areas of the country, where access to NHS dentists is most difficult.
"These 200 additional dentists will come on top of more than 100 new dentists expected to enter the NHS next year from the existing dental schools.
"Some estimates suggest that a third of children in Scotland do not have an NHS dentist. This has got to be tackled.
"We will also ensure that dentists do check ups in our local schools.
"Improving oral health in children is the sort of preventative measure that will reduce the burden on the NHS in the future. This is spending now to save in the future."
Dental Action Plan detail:
• Directly recruiting an extra 200 more dentists to work in the NHS in Scotland
• Establish an additional Dental School to continue to increase the supply of dentists being trained and working in Scotland. Give continuing support to our existing Dental Schools, including Dundee
• Getting dentists into local schools in deprived areas to do check ups