Preventing the Collapse of NHS Dentistry in Scotland
The result of the division on motion S6M-03281, in the name of Sandesh Gulhane, as amended, is: For 69, Against 57, Abstentions 0.
Motion, as amended, agreed to,
That the Parliament notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of healthcare, not least on the delivery of dental services due to the volume of aerosol generating procedures, and the impact that this has had on patients seeking appointments during this period; acknowledges that the challenges posed by the pandemic, including the backlog of care, are not unique to Scotland; notes the substantial pandemic-related investment in dentistry of the last two years that includes £5 million for ventilation improvements, £7.5 million for new dental drills, £35 million for additional PPE, and £50 million of financial support to dental practices; recognises that investment in NHS dentistry is increasing to a record high level with a 9% increase in the budget for dental services in 2022-23, including extending the reach of the Childsmile programme in high-street practices to young people up to 17 years of age; welcomes that the Scottish Government is providing dentists with an additional £20 million from February 2022 to give them new and additional incentives to see more patients, and that discussions continue with the British Dental Association on further reforms to support recovery; believes that NHS dentistry, like all NHS services, should be free at the point of need and supports the removal of all NHS dental charges to patients by the end of this parliamentary session, and further supports the Scottish Government's Oral Health Improvement Plan, which underpins that the frequency of dental checks should be shaped by clinical evidence and an individual patient's oral health risk assessment, with those at the highest risk being seen more frequently.