To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage the majority of dental nurses who currently do not have any relevant qualifications to gain qualifications.

It is currently estimated that less than 50% of the 3,500 dental nurses working in Scotland have formal qualifications. The Scottish Executive is consulting with health boards, Primary Care Trusts and educational organisations on how to facilitate courses for dental nurses throughout Scotland which lead to formal qualifications.

A review group to plan the education and training for professions complimentary to dentist’s including dental nurses was established in 1999 to consider workforce planning and education issues for this group of the dental workforce.