NHS dental patients in Moray are still struggling to access routine services that were scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the local MP has said.
Douglas Ross was responding to concerns raised by constituents about a lack of care available on the NHS, particularly for those that had appointments cancelled during the lockdown.
Some, including children, have not had a check-up for a year.
Constituents have also reported that a range of procedures classed as aerosol generating, such as fillings, are being offered to private patients but not to those on the NHS list.
Mr Ross has now written to Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and Chief Dental Officer for Scotland Tom Ferris seeking answers on behalf of his constituents.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“We all know that dental services ground to a halt after the coronavirus lockdown in March.
“Six months later, however, it appears many people are still struggling to access basic services.
“I am very concerned that patients here in Moray cannot get treatments such as fillings – unless they are paying for private care.
“I have asked the Health Secretary and the Chief Dental Officer for Scotland when aerosol-generating procedures will be carried out so that check-ups and treatments can resume.
“I have also asked why there is currently a two-tier service – with private patients able to access treatments that are unavailable to those on NHS lists.
“I understand that there are many restrictions on our day-to-day lives at the moment, but we cannot continue to leave patients – and especially children – without access to dental treatment.”
