Slots at dentist like ‘gold dust’

DENTAL appointments will become like ‘gold dust’ as practices are forced to abandon the NHS in favour of more lucrative private contracts, the industry union has warned.

The British Dental Association (BDA) said a lack of government support during the Covid-19 crisis has left many practices facing ‘financial challenges’.

Dental surgeries were closed in March and are now only open for emergency work. There is no date for the return of routine appointments.

David McColl, the BDA’s Scottish dental practice committee chairman, said: ‘Those practices that were 50 per cent NHS and 50 per cent private will be in crisis. The private element of dentistry wasn’t supported, so many practices have lost half their income. NHS appointments in all areas are like gold dust.’

The Scottish Government said it was listening to dentists’ concerns and ‘will continue to discuss ongoing support’.