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   HebrideanHecate (hebrideanhecate@spinster.xyz)'s status on Sunday, 20-Oct-2024 08:30:38 JST HebrideanHecate

   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gd9023018o

   Three Scottish practices told BBC Scotland News they were registering new NHS patients but that there was a two-year waiting list for appointments. And five practices said they had waiting lists of at least one year. A total of 91 practices listed on the NHS Inform website said they were now fully private. In Annan, residents described the lack of dental access as a “nightmare”.

   William Anderson hasn’t been to a dentist “in years”. The 76-year-old said: “I think there should be something put in place. What does it cost for an appointment now and how long is it going to take?”

   Shirley Kirkpatrick was de-registered when her dentist moved private. “My dentist has gone private and you have to pay upfront,” she said. “I don’t have the money for that so I have to go to the dental hospital in Dumfries. “I think it’s ridiculous. Annan is a small town but everyone needs a dentist.”

   Mr McColl said there is now a two-tier system developing in dentistry.

   He said: “As far as dentistry is concerned, patients now want things that the NHS cannot deliver - they want teeth whitening, six-month smiles, straight teeth, white crowns and white fillings - these are things the NHS do not provide.

   “It’s up to the government to decide what the NHS is there for, and what the NHS can provide and have an open transparent discussion with the profession and patients about what the NHS can deliver.”