By Dave Lord

KINROSS RESIDENTS have taken the fight for NHS dentistry services to the Scottish Parliament after being told to try a subsidised facility in Aberdeen—almost 100 miles away.

Members of the Save NHS Dentistry campaign are urging the Executive to restore NHS services throughout Scotland.

The group has held numerous public meetings and approached the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee after collecting 1200 signatures in support of their campaign.

“Recently a large number of people in the Kinross area were told they would no longer be provided with NHS dental services,” said Keith Green.

“The option available was to join the Denplan insurance scheme.

“This is not an affordable option for many families, the elderly and indeed anyone on a low or fixed income.”

Mr Green claimed locals face life without dental care as it is practically impossible to find a NHS dentist within the area.

“Dental practitioners in the area who have retained a proportion of NHS patients are unable or unwilling to accept new patients for NHS treatment,” he said.

Mr Green said advice given on a dedicated helpline had proven to be less than helpful.

“The NHS helpline has been of no use, with services being offered as far away as Aberdeen,” he said.

“The existing emergency service in Perth does not meet the need for a local NHS dental service...as it does not provide regular dental care.”

Residents fear a crisis is looming and insist the repercussions for the nation’s oral health are dire.

The Kinross campaigners warn that the changes with regard to dental care could merely represent the thin end of the wedge.

“If NHS dental services are allowed to disappear without protest it paves the way for a similar action with general medical services,” Mr Green said.

When contacted by The Courier the general manager of the Perth and Kinross Community Health Partnership (CHP), Bill Nicoll, said he was “aware” of the concerns raised by Kinross residents.

“The CHP has met with local councillors and community representatives to discuss the situation and there has also been dialogue with the local MP and MSP,” he said.

“There is an increasing trend for dentists to work as independent practitioners and not to provide treatment under the NHS, opting instead to provide only private treatment or restricting the types of patients to whom they provide NHS treatment.”

Nevertheless, Mr Nicoll said moves were afoot to improve the level of service offered in the area.

“We continue to identify solutions for improved dental access across Perth and Kinross and recently an additional two part-time salaried dentists were appointed, with interviews imminent for an additional two full-time dentists,” he said.

“A link line will be launched shortly to provide information to the Tayside population around access to dental care and treatment.”

He added that NHS Tayside has been awarded £3 million from the Scottish Executive to fund a “treat and teach” centre in Perth.

It will include a community dentistry service, general dental services and training suites.

It is due to open in summer 2008.