Health boards in Scotland now have until October 27 (previously October 6) to submit outline proposals for new dental centres and existing dental premises to the Scottish government, following representations made by the BDA's Scottish Dental Practice Committee (SDPC).

In August the Scottish health department (SGHD) announced £75 million for health boards to improve premises for GPs and GDPs between 2009 and 2011. While the funding is not exclusively for dentistry as previously reported, the health department said in a letter to health boards on August 5, 'It is envisaged that new NHS dental centres will account for a significant share of projects nominated by NHS boards by providing at least 60 individual chairs/dental surgeries over at least 10 new centres nationally.' It is important to note that reference was also made in the letter to providing capital grants to existing independent contractors to include decontamination facilities for GDP premises.

The SDPC have received an oral assurance that the funding will be available to all practices with an NHS list number but are awaiting confirmation in writing from the SGHD and subsequent circulation to health boards.

Writing to health boards last month (September 12), Jonathan Price, deputy director of primary care for Scotland, said boards would be expected to submit outline proposals for developments by October 27. 'Provision of new dental services centres to be occupied by independent GDPs is a key priority,' his letter said.