Children's tooth removal waiting times surge
Nearby Dumfries and Galloway kids wait 42 weeks
Waiting times for children in Ayrshire and Arran needing a new tooth have surged.
Kids waited an average of 20 weeks to have their teeth extracted in 2023/24, new data shows.
That’s a jump from just five weeks in 2019/20.
The numbers - gathered by a Scottish Labour FOI to health boards across Scotland - have led to one South Scotland MSP to declare a ‘dental crisis’ the Scottish Government must shoulder the blame for.
Colin Smyth said: ““Rotten teeth can cause excruciating pain but these figures show some people in our region are forced to wait for almost a year before getting the surgery they need.
“These statistics are completely shocking but sadly, no-one in our region will be remotely surprised that once again, people are forced to suffer while waiting for teeth to be removed.
“Being in pain every time you eat a meal or try to talk is agony for a few days, let alone months or years, but that is the reality for many.
“I am furious the Scottish Government have repeatedly failed to wake up to the growing dental crisis.”
Adults in NHS Ayrshire and Arran waited 15 weeks for a similar procedure, down from 22 weeks four years ago.
However, in nearby Dumfries and Galloway, the situation is dire, with children waiting an average of 42 weeks and adults 43 weeks.
Mr Smyth added: “The double whammy of the Brexit, which meant there are almost no EU dentists coming to the UK anymore, and more significantly, the Scottish Government’s failure to properly fund dentists means practices across the country have axed adult NHS services, forcing people to go private. When people need specialist dental care they are having to wait longer and longer.
“The Scottish Government and previous UK Government were warned over and over that this would happen, but they completely ignored those warnings.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Any long wait for surgery is highly regrettable. However it is important to note that the overwhelming majority of NHS dental care is delivered in a primary care setting.
“We are supporting NHS Boards to drive improvements in waiting times and are targeting resources to ensure people waiting the longest are treated as soon as possible.
“The Public Health Minister has taken a leading role in bringing together the four UK nations on the actions required to increase our dental workforce capacity, through the review of and improvement to international pipelines.”
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