More than 320 dentists have retired early since 2020, figures show

Scotland has lost 324 dentists to early retirement since 2020, figures have shown.

Data, released through a freedom of information (FOI) request to the Scottish Public Pensions Authority, showed that dozens are leaving the profession before the state pension age every year.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats, which submitted the FOI request, accused the SNP of letting dentistry “rot”.

Scotland has seen rising waiting times for dental appointments in recent years and concerns have been raised about “dental deserts” as some practices choose not to take on new patients.

Of the 334 dentists who have retired since 2020 just 10 waited until the state pension age to do so.

Last year was the worst of the past six years, with 84 dentists leaving the industry before the state pension age, compared to 70 the year before, 81 in 2021 and 57 in 2020.

Some 32 dentists have already left the industry before reaching the pension age this year.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “The SNP have left NHS dentistry to rot and people are in pain. In areas like Fife, there isn’t a single NHS dentist currently open to new patients.

“Access to toothcare should be no different from any other form of medical treatment.

“People should be able to rely on treatment being readily available, close to home.

“Instead we are seeing dentists retiring early or ditching NHS work because engaging with the Scottish Government is worse than pulling teeth.”

He said the shortage of dentists in Scotland was creating stress for patients while increasing the workload for those who remain in the sector.

He said Health Secretary Neil Gray should encourage experienced staff to stay on.

Mr Cole-Hamilton added: “Scottish Liberal Democrats are very proud of the part we played in introducing free dental checks in Scotland and in pressing for a new dental school to address the shortage of dentists.

“However, that good work is being undone by SNP ministers whose attention is always elsewhere.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out plans that would end dental deserts and bring back local NHS dentists.

“It would see ministers rewrite their failed NHS Recovery Plan, prioritise workforce planning and boost the number of dentists taking on NHS patients.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Almost one year on from dental payment reform, NHS dental services are responding well to the changes with the latest figures showing over 1 million courses of treatment were delivered to patients in the quarter ending June 2024.

“We recognise that in some areas, particularly rural areas, access to dental services remains more challenging. We continue to make available a range of additional financial support locally and this has enabled a newly opened surgery in a Dumfries and Galloway practice to see an additional 500 new NHS patients since August and register another 1,500 new patients.

“We are urgently engaging with our counterparts across the UK on the actions required to enhance access to services through increased dental workforce capacity, including improved international pipelines.”