Scotland - 65% rise in NHS dental nurses in five years

A surge in NHS dental nurses and technicians was praised by the SNP. Picture: PA

Published on Saturday 16 March 2013 12:31

THE number of NHS dental nurses in Scotland has increased by 65 per cent over a five-year period, according to new figures.

• Significant rise in number of NHS dental nurses and dental technicians recorded

• SNP MSP Bob Doris praises increase in provision of dental health across Scotland

Official statistics also revealed there was a 171 per cent rise in the number of dental technicians from September 2007, compared to the same month in 2012.

SNP MSP Bob Doris welcomed the figures which he said proved the party is committed to improving the health of people living in Scotland.

“There are now far more dental nurses and technicians than under the previous Labour administration - and we all know how bad the dentistry situation was then,” he said.

“We now have the situation where areas which had large waiting lists for NHS dental treatment under Labour now are in a position where those waiting lists are now either extremely small or in some cases have been cleared.

“This adds to figures out last year that showed record numbers of primary one children have no obvious signs of decay and, for the first time, all 14 NHS Boards exceeded the target - that 60 per cent should have no obvious signs of decay.....

Why can't the rest of the UK do the same instead of wasting millions on forcing fluoridation on us?