Mobile dental units may hold the key to addressing the ongoing dental crisis in Dumfries and Galloway, according to a call from South Scotland MSP Emma Harper. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Harper urged for an innovative approach to tackling the region’s dental issues, citing a recent conversation with a retired dentist who suggested mobile units as a potential solution.
Harper raised the issue with Public Health Minister Jenni Minto, noting that evidence from other Scottish health boards, including NHS Tayside and NHS Grampian, has demonstrated the effectiveness of mobile dental units in alleviating pressure on dental services. These units have been shown to increase access to care and could be pivotal in ensuring that residents in Dumfries and Galloway are able to see an NHS dentist.
“Dumfries and Galloway continues to face significant dental challenges, with over 17,000 people in the region having been deregistered by an NHS dentist in the past year. This situation is unacceptable,” Harper said. She emphasized the need for a new approach to dental care, one that prioritizes both accessibility and quality, especially for the many children in the area without access to an NHS dentist.
Harper added that mobile dental units could be particularly beneficial in targeting underserved areas, helping to reduce the pressure on existing services. “This innovative solution has proven successful in other regions, and it’s time to consider its potential for Dumfries and Galloway,” she remarked.
Harper confirmed that she would be following up with NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s leadership to inquire whether they have explored the use of mobile units as part of their strategy to tackle the dental crisis.
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