Responding to the publication of the Smoking, Health and Social Care Bill announced by the Scottish Executive on Friday, the British Dental Association (BDA) said the dental clauses were an important step on the path towards much needed reform of NHS dentistry in Scotland. The Bill makes provision for local commissioning to address local need and legislates for the introduction of free dental checks.

Responding to the publication of the Bill, Andrew Lamb, BDA Director for Scotland, said:

"Free dental checks may make good headlines, but the real measures necessary to safeguard NHS dentistry in Scotland are more complex. As the situation stands, dentistry lacks both the finance and the workforce to keep the Executive's promise. Unless sufficient funding is invested and an adequate number of dentists recruited, the reforms announced on Friday simply will not work."

The BDA awaits the publication of the report of the Modernising NHS dental services in Scotland consultation. In its response to the consultation, the BDA called for a threefold increase in funding for NHS dentistry. The BDA looks forward to working with the Scottish Executive on reforms to the service that meet the needs of dentists and patients alike.

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Notes to editors

1. The need for additional funding for NHS dentistry in Scotland was recognised in the BDA's response to the November 2003 consultation document Modernising NHS dental services in Scotland. The BDA's full response to the consultation can be accessed at: http://www.bda.org/about/docs/Final_Response_to_SEHD.pdf.

2. The BDA represents over 20,000 dentists working in general practice, salaried services, the armed forces, hospitals academia and research.

3. For further information, please contact the BDA's media team on 020 7563 4146.
http://www.bda-dentistry.org.uk