An MSP claims mobile units could help tackle Dumfries and Galloway’s dental crisis.
Thousands of people have lost access to NHS treatment in recent years as practices either close or go private, with no dentists taking on new NHS patients.
Now, South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper has raised the idea of mobile dental units.
She asked Public and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto at Holyrood: “We know that more than 17,000 NHS dental patients across Dumfries and Galloway have been deregistered.
“Last week, I met with a retired dentist who suggested that mobile dental units could be a solution. Could the minister consider raising that with NHS Dumfries and Galloway to ensure that people in Dumfries and Galloway have access to an NHS dentist?”
Ms Minto replied: “I know that some health boards, such as NHS Tayside have chosen to invest in mobile dental units. I understand that those have been successful, and I certainly encourage such innovative thinking.
“However, that would be a decision for the health board to make, based on its individual needs and circumstances.”
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Ms Minto added the director general for health and social care recently met with NHS Dumfries and Galloway officials and had a “productive” discussion about dentistry.
In the last few years, practices in Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Annan and Langholm have closed or de-registered patients – but grant funding from NHS Dumfries and Galloway allowed Moffat Dental Practice to offer 2,000 new spaces.
And 12 new places for dentists are being provided at Dumfries Dental Centre at Mountainhall.