SNP & Greens block Liberal Democrat plans to repair NHS dentistry

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has condemned the government’s response to the crisis in NHS dentistry as “rotten to the root" after SNP and Green MSPs opposed proposals to address the issue this afternoon.

The motion, tabled by the Scottish Liberal Democrats and debated in Parliament earlier this afternoon, called on the government to acknowledge the crisis, reform funding structures to enable more NHS patients to be seen and rewrite the NHS Recovery Plan to include a comprehensive plan for dentists.  

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"The SNP and Greens have opposed common sense proposals which would have boosted access to dentistry for everyone. It's rotten to the root.  

“Toothcare, like any other form of healthcare, should be universally accessible. Scottish Liberal Democrats were instrumental in bringing forward free dental checks in Scotland and in establishing a new dental school to address workforce shortages. That good work is being slowly unpicked.

“Our motion would have seen ministers rewrite the NHS Recovery Plan to support dentists fully and reform funding structures so that more can provide services on the NHS. Rather than listen and collaborate on a cross-party level, this government is hellbent on pursuing a course of action that is failing dentists and patients alike.”

ENDS