Astonishing Dental Health Gap in Scotland

Source: heraldscotland.com

Nearly 1.8 million adults in Scotland — about 39.5% of those registered — haven’t visited an NHS dentist in over two years. Shockingly, more than a quarter of Scots (28.8%) have been absent for more than five years, and over 574,000 adults haven’t been seen by a dentist in over a decade.

Children are also missing out — 177,318 youngsters haven’t attended a dental appointment in 24 months.

These figures come from a Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats and highlight deepening inequality. Lower-income families are less likely to attend check-ups, and some rural regions — such as Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway, and Orkney — aren’t accepting new NHS adult patients.

The British Dental Association (BDA) warns this is a “participation” crisis rather than just a registration issue. Many people remain registered but are not actually receiving care, which worsens oral health inequalities.

The Scottish Government has responded, stating that 60% of registered patients have attended a visit in the last two years. They also note that from November 2023 to September 2024, NHS dentistry delivered 2.6 million enhanced examinations as part of ongoing investment.

What This Means for Teesside Readers

Your oral health matters — and regular visits are key to staying on top of it.

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