So what’s the drill in seeing a dentist?

Scottish Government must produce guidelines that are fair for all patients whether they are private or not

Few of us would consider a trip to the dentist to be something to look forward to but even the most squeamish among us would agree regular visits are essential.

So we share the concerns of those dentists who say their profession is in a “state of disarray” because of confused coronavirus guidelines from the Scottish Government. At the heart of this mess is a government position that is, to be generous, incoherent. A ban on NHS dentists using so-called Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPS) such as the use of equipment to dry teeth during examinations seems extreme when their private counterparts have had the go-ahead to do so.

The consequence is that private practitioners are allowed to offer patients a range of treatments, including fillings, while NHS dentists are prevented from doing more than the most cursory of examinations. Yes, people are perfectly entitled to pay for private dental care if they are able but this inconsistency in the rules set out by ministers does nothing but punish the worst off.

The Scottish Dental Practice Owners Group, which represents more than 700 surgeries caring for almost three million patients has urged First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to act to end a developing two-tier system.

Dr Mohammed Samad, a dentist working in Glasgow’s East End, describes information and guidance from the Chief Dental Officer as “sparse”. Given that patients have been told NHS practices are open without it being made clear that many routine procedures are unavailable, we are inclined to agree.

The Scotsman firmly believes that, difficult though recent months have been for so many, the threat of coronavirus means a cautious approach to the loosening of lockdown restrictions is wise. But caution must be married with common sense and if it is considered safe for private dentists to perform certain procedures then surely the same conclusion should be reached when for those working in the NHS.

Beyond the inequality created by these inconsistent guidelines, there is another concern. Some dentists warn that if they are not allowed to offer a full range of treatments soon, their practices will not survive.

That would mean nothing to those who are able to go private but for other, fewer practices would make getting treatment more difficult.

The Scottish Government must produce guidelines that are fair for all patients whether they can afford to go private or not.