Chamber
Plenary, 25 Oct 2000
25 Oct 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Primary Dental Care
The funding comes through the health board and the approval to appoint a salaried dentist is given by Scottish ministers, but of course health boards have funds to provide general dental services. We are talking about situations in which they find it impossible to do that, when they can contract with independent contractors who practise in their area.
Under the Scottish dental access initiative, we are providing grants to build and equip new surgeries and to expand practices to meet the needs of NHS patients. So far, grants totalling £750,000 have been made.
Patients have to be at the centre of the service that we design and deliver. They want to see a readily available, good-quality, effective service, with choice where possible and the correct balance between prevention and treatment. We have to recognise that a greater health gain is likely if resources are targeted to tackle inequalities in dental health and access. With that in mind, we have to consider how to improve the current poor dental health record, particularly of children, in Scotland. Our commitment to that is outlined in the white paper "Towards a Healthier Scotland".
This is not just about better dental health; it is about tackling inequality. Only 20 per cent of children from our most deprived communities are free of dental caries, compared with 60 per cent in affluent Scotland. Parliament will recall Susan Deacon's announcement of the additional £26 million tobacco tax resources to target public health. In particular, the health improvement fund will include substantial resources to improve dental and oral health in Scotland through the provision of free toothbrushes and toothpaste to young children.
Under the Scottish dental access initiative, we are providing grants to build and equip new surgeries and to expand practices to meet the needs of NHS patients. So far, grants totalling £750,000 have been made.
Patients have to be at the centre of the service that we design and deliver. They want to see a readily available, good-quality, effective service, with choice where possible and the correct balance between prevention and treatment. We have to recognise that a greater health gain is likely if resources are targeted to tackle inequalities in dental health and access. With that in mind, we have to consider how to improve the current poor dental health record, particularly of children, in Scotland. Our commitment to that is outlined in the white paper "Towards a Healthier Scotland".
This is not just about better dental health; it is about tackling inequality. Only 20 per cent of children from our most deprived communities are free of dental caries, compared with 60 per cent in affluent Scotland. Parliament will recall Susan Deacon's announcement of the additional £26 million tobacco tax resources to target public health. In particular, the health improvement fund will include substantial resources to improve dental and oral health in Scotland through the provision of free toothbrushes and toothpaste to young children.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The main business of the afternoon is the debate on motion S1M-1271, in the name of Susan Deacon, on primary dental care services. I have selected two amendm...
The Deputy Minister for Community Care (Iain Gray):
Lab
In the debate on public health on 5 October, Susan Deacon made it clear that oral and dental health are priorities for the Executive. In that debate, several...
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
Is it not also the case that the York study indicated that further research had to be done on fluoridation?
Iain Gray:
Lab
That is the case, and the study commented on the methodologies of the studies that it considered. However, if Mrs Ewing will bear with me, I will say somethi...
Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
Is the minister aware of the proposal, made by dentists in Ayrshire, to establish an emergency call-out system in line with the extremely successful out-of-h...
Iain Gray:
Lab
We are aware of the initiative and we will pursue an interest in that. The action plan that I referred to includes, in the long term, an examination of how w...
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab):
Lab
Where does the funding for those dentists come from? Do health boards have to find the funding?
Iain Gray:
Lab
The funding comes through the health board and the approval to appoint a salaried dentist is given by Scottish ministers, but of course health boards have fu...
Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
Can I take it that the minister does not approve of the installation of confectionery and soft-drink vending machines in school halls, which seems to oppose ...
Iain Gray:
Lab
I want to move on to talk about effects on health, on which there has been some debate. I think that Dorothy-Grace Elder is thinking in particular about the ...
Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
So far, the minister has not mentioned that one of the main ways to improve dental health would be to increase the number of dental graduates. He referred to...
Iain Gray:
Lab
If Mr Rumbles will bear with me, the next section of my speech will address some of the issues that he raises.We need our general dental practitioners to pla...
Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome today's debate and the fact that the improvement of dental and oral health is being prioritised by the Scottish Executive. As the minister has outl...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I admit that it is a long time since I was at school, but when I was there I ran the tuck shop, which sold Mars bars—
Mr Rumbles:
LD
We can see that.
Mr Monteith:
Con
We sold Mars bars, Polos and crisps, and the financial benefits went to buy snooker tables, books and so on for pupils. Does Nicola Sturgeon advocate that th...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I advocate implementation of a national strategy—as there is—to encourage good dental health among young people and to encourage them to consume low-sugar pr...
Iain Gray:
Lab
Is the member aware that dental fees are set by a body that is independent of the Government and that it recommends each year the percentage increase in fees?
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I am fully aware of that fact, but if MSPs are to have a reasoned and rational debate on the future of dental services in Scotland, we cannot ignore the real...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
Before I call Robin Harper, I advise members of a purely editorial change in the last line of his amendment—S1M-1271.2. The phrase "NHS Centre for Research a...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
I am pleased that the workings of the Scottish Parliament have allowed a small party to contribute to the debate through an amendment.I have no problem with ...
Phil Gallie:
Con
I understand that fluoride exists naturally in some water supplies. If Mr Harper is really concerned about the harmful effects, does he believe that those su...
Robin Harper:
Green
Mr Gallie is talking about one small area of Scotland, around Burghead. It would be nice to have good-quality research on that area. I have tried to find som...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I, too, welcome the opportunity to debate the important subject of primary dental care services, including the plans for early registration schemes, fissure ...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
No one would disagree that oral health is important, that we do not want our children to have fillings or extractions, and that all of us should retain a hea...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
Will the Liberal Democrats vote in line with last year's manifesto commitment?
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
I will deal with that when I come to it. I will not duck the question.Nicola Sturgeon has made me lose my place.Three dental schools were closed. It is right...
Mary Scanlon:
Con
The recommended number of dental graduates each year in Scotland is 120; Glasgow produces 70 graduates and Dundee produces 50. Dundee is allowed to fund 59 g...
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
Whether or not we are training enough dentists, we do not seem to have enough on the ground. That points up the fact that we need more. We also need more anc...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We will have speakers from the floor until 4.29 pm. I suspect that more members want to speak than time will allow, but if members keep speeches to four minu...