NHS dental services to return across Scotland next month

NHS dentistry services in Scotland are due to resume next month after being halted due to the pandemic.

In plans announced at Holyrood on Monday, services will be able to restart for patients from November 1.

While some were able to resume earlier, including urgent care, full NHS treatments have not yet resumed.

Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “This pandemic has been an extremely challenging time for dentistry and I extend my sincerest thanks to the sector for their patience and resilience throughout the period.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that the needs of patients to be seen for NHS dental treatment can be met in a way that supports efforts in practice to maintain the high standards of health and safety needed to minimise the threat from Covid-19.

“Work has been carried out at pace to improve our understanding and risk management of Covid-19 transmission in dental settings, allowing for further progress with the NHS dental remobilisation and I am pleased practitioners, from November 1, will be able to provide a full range of treatments to all NHS patients within dental practices.”

Despite the reopening, Mr FitzPatrick said the sector will not return to “business as usual” as practices still need to limit the number of patients they see due to the ongoing spread of the virus.

He added: “But by making available a full range of treatments for NHS patients, dentists and dental teams will be able to provide a wider range of NHS care, prioritised by clinical judgment and in line with wider public health protection measures.

“We stand ready to continue working constructively with the sector to help facilitate this remobilisation.

“I would like to thank the sector for their efforts in providing safe care to patients and I am sure they stand ready to continue to provide the best of care as we navigate the coming months together.”