Dental group increases NHS capacity amid access to care crisis
One of Scotland’s leading independent dental groups has announced a major patient recruitment in Glasgow in a bid to alleviate the NHS dentistry crisis.
Family run Scottish Dental Care, is increasing NHS and private patient capacity by 2,000 patients for dental services at its Gorbals Dental Practice in Glasgow, with a total 12,500 new patient spaces open across Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Recent data shared by the British Dental Association showed that 1.8m people in Scotland have not had an examination or treatment in the past three years, underscoring the urgent need for more dental appointments, as many clinics remain at full capacity and unable to manage the backlog of appointments exacerbated by the pandemic.
We want to help as many adults and children as possible in the area look after their teeth
Lynn Hood
Lynn Hood, Chief Executive at Scottish Dental Care said: “The dental sector is still recovering from the pandemic with most dental clinics at capacity and unable to take on new patients or even manage the backlog of appointments that has accrued over the past few years.
“In response, we have invested significantly to be able to grow our portfolio to welcome new clinics into the group, as well as expanding surgeries and welcoming new dentists and support staff to try and address some of the huge patient demand across Scotland.
“With up to 2,000 new patient spaces available at Gorbals Dental Practice, we want to help as many adults and children as possible in the area look after their teeth, educate them on the benefits of good oral health and hygiene and ensure long term healthy smiles.”
Additional spaces have been opened in three other Glasgow clinics, including 1,000 in Bishopton, 1,000 in Barrhead and 5,500 in Cardonald.