Dentists' leaders in Scotland have today warned that some patients could lose access to NHS dentistry as a result of reforms being implemented by the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD). The British Dental Association is concerned that the SEHD's unwillingness to reconsider its measurement of commitment to the NHS will leave some dentists who wish to treat NHS patients unable to do so. The definition of commitment to the NHS that the Scottish Executive intends to implement will mean that unless a dentist treats a number of patients above a minimum number, they will not be considered to be committed to the NHS and will not be eligible for new allowances arising out of the Scottish Executive Health Department's Action Plan. Dentists must also treat a minimum number of adult fee-paying patients to qualify.

Dr Andrew Lamb, the British Dental Association's Director for Scotland, said, 'The intransigence of the Scottish Executive threatens to jeopardise patients' access to NHS dentistry. There are many dentists, across Scotland, who are committed to their NHS patients and want to continue treating them. Sadly, the approach of the Scottish Executive will make it increasingly difficult for some of these practitioners to continue doing so. The BDA calls upon the Scottish Executive to reconsider its stance on the definition of commitment to the NHS as this will only serve to alienate a number of practitioners who would like to keep seeing NHS patients.'