Warning over gap in dental cover

Fewer than half of adults are registered with an NHS dentist

People not registered with an NHS dentist could miss out on the free check-ups promised by the Scottish Executive, the SNP has warned.

Statistics showed that fewer than half of Scotland's adults were registered with an NHS dentist, many because there was not one available in their area.

The SNP said the new free dental check-up for all, to be introduced in 2007, would be a "theoretical right".

The executive said it wanted everyone to have access to an NHS dentist.

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald told the BBC's Politics Show: "It is true that we can't force dentists to stay within the NHS.

"It is also true that we can't force patients to register. What we can do is ensure that the service is available."

By his refusal to make that guarantee, I am very worried that it will become a theoretical right Shona Robison SNP

He said the executive was providing incentives for dentists who owned their own practice to stay in the NHS.

And in some areas health boards were providing salaried NHS dentists to fill the gap.

SNP health spokeswoman Shona Robison said: "The minister is refusing to guarantee everyone who wants it a free dental check by 2007.

"By his refusal to make that guarantee, I am very worried that it will become a theoretical right.

Dental health

"If you are not registered with an NHS dentist, because you can't be, because there are not enough, and not because you don't want to be, then you will not have that right."

A spokesman for the British Dental Association said: "The BDA has consistently warned the Scottish Executive that with the current shortage of dentists in Scotland, its plans for free dental checks, however laudable, will be impossible to deliver.

"We also have grave concerns over the provision of continuing care for those patients who are not currently registered should they need further treatment following their free check-up.

"While we welcome new initiatives to improve Scotland's appalling record on dental health, such measures must be deliverable - something the BDA fears will not be true for the majority of Scots in the case of free dental checks."

Statistics from the Scottish Dental Health Board showed that one in three children are not on the books of a NHS dentist, despite Scotland having Europe's highest rate of tooth decay in youngsters.

For the over 60s the story was even worse, with 63% not registered.

The executive has made repeated statements of its intentions to improve the state of Scotland's dental health.

It has pledged free dental checks for all by 2007 and for the over 60s by the end of this year.