Stevenson Welcomes Response on NHS Dentistry Issue

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the response from Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care Tom McCabe regarding NHS dental service in Grampian. Mr Stevenson has been campaigning for increased resources from the Scottish Executive to attract more dentists to the North-east and this response was the latest of a series of exchanges and meetings involving the MSP on the subject.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Stevenson said:

“I am encouraged by the response from the Deputy Minister and at least the Scottish Executive have acknowledged that the Grampian area faces particular difficulties.

“I welcome the proposed changes to the existing initiatives and the introduction of several new measures to assist in the recruitment and retention of dentists providing NHS dental services in Scotland.

“I have been calling for more flexibility to the ‘golden hello’ incentive scheme. I am pleased therefore that the Minister has confirmed that grants under the Scottish Dental Access Initiative will increase and that the conditions of the grants are being looked at with the view of making them more flexible.

“All in all, I am hopeful that increased grants will help to encourage more dentists to establish their practices in the North-east. However, this is far from a final solution to the problem and I shall continue in my efforts and discussions in this regard.”