4. To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reverse the reported decline of NHS dentistry. (S6O-02191)

The new policy prospectus that the Scottish Government set out on 18 April commits us to providing sustained and improved equitable national access to national health service dentistry by 2026. That reaffirms our commitment to the sector and to patients in all parts of Scotland.

The previous Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care recently confirmed the continuation of the bridging payment until 31 October 2023, while we prepare for the implementation of payment reform. Payment reform will comprise a new modernised system that will provide NHS dental teams with greater clinical discretion and transparency for NHS patients.

Having to wait until 2026, which is a long time away, does not help people who are waiting to see a dentist right now.

A recent survey found that there has been an exodus of dentists from the NHS. Some 59 per cent of dentists say that, since lockdown, they have reduced the amount of NHS work that they undertake by an average of more than one fifth. For example, the Old Bank dental practice in Tayport in my constituency has shut altogether. The survey found that the situation is only going to get worse.

In a letter dated 20 March, the then Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd, said:

“we will confirm the negotiation period and new showcase date as soon as possible.”

There is concern about further delay. When will the revised payment system for NHS dentistry be announced?

I thank Willie Rennie for his question and recognise the amount of work that he has done for his constituents with regard to dentistry services.

The timeline for reform of dentistry services has necessarily been slightly altered by the process that has been under way to replace the First Minister. We still intend to implement dentistry reform on the agreed date, which is 1 November 2023. We will confirm the negotiation period and new showcase date as soon as possible.

With many people living to be older and, therefore, keeping their teeth for longer, many elderly patients who are housebound or in care homes are presenting with untreated tooth decay and advanced gum disease. In fact, recent studies suggest that periodontal disease and the resulting chronic inflammation are associated with the development of vascular dementia.

Will the minister explain how she plans to properly resource the declining domiciliary dental care service, as Shona Robison promised when she was Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care? At a meeting of the local dental committee, members of Scotland’s dental profession told me that that is simply not happening.

I, too, was at the local dental committee meeting, at which—as Sandesh Gulhane will know—I faced some pretty probing questions. The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that we provide a sustainable dental service. I am currently in discussions on how that will happen.

I take on board the points that Dr Gulhane made on care of older people. However, I ask him to note that the Scottish Government is moving on a pathway towards ensuring that everyone gets the right dental care at the right time and in the right place.

I continue to receive correspondence from constituents who find themselves unable to access non-emergency dental care because dental practices in Inverclyde remain closed to new NHS patients. Will the minister outline what is being done to support dental practices that currently offer NHS treatment to begin taking on such patients?

We are constantly in dialogue with dentists to ensure that we are doing that; my officials meet dentists regularly. We have introduced a number of processes—for example, funding dentists to the extent of £100,000 for additional practices, and providing additional funding of up to £25,000 for extra support in areas where there is greatest patient need.