Hansard

The discussion paper to which I referred earlier proposed significant increases in the number of professionals who are complementary to dentistry to enhance the dental team. Clearly, we will consider those measures, and all the others in the discussion paper, in the light of the comments that we receive.

As well as getting the numbers right, we regard the quality of training as vital. Dentists can register to practise on graduation, but the NHS insists on one year's postgraduate training. In Scotland, we have successfully piloted two-year general professional training, and one of those pilots took place in the north-east. I can tell Mike Rumbles that we will consider making permanent and expanding that pilot, which would help to meet his point about making new links.

We have also funded 10 additional training places for the community dental service, which provides a substantial proportion of its services to remote and rural areas. However, many dentists prefer to remain close to the area where they did their undergraduate training. Although that is not an argument for a dental school in Aberdeen, it means that the local trusts in Grampian, with support from the board and the Executive, must make particular efforts to recruit and retain staff. To aid that, we are encouraging both dental schools to consider outreach training, which will give undergraduates experience in rural areas and in hospitals away from the dental schools. That could help to meet Mike Rumbles's concern about new links between Dundee and Aberdeen.

Mike Rumbles raised the issue of salaried dentists. The trust is working on proposals for a salaried post to provide two days of dental cover at Alford and three days in Aberdeen. That is in addition to the three salaried dentists who already operate in Aberdeen. It is open to the trust to apply to Scottish ministers to appoint further salaried dentists when and where the need arises. I referred to the Scottish dental access grants at last week's question time, when Mike Rumbles asked about dental services. Thirty access grants have already been awarded, and some have gone to practices in Grampian.

As Mike Rumbles and other colleagues may know, the trust has embarked on a series of consultations involving the public, local practitioners, the health board and Dundee dental school. One of the local health care co-operatives has been appointed lead for Grampian-wide primary care dental services. Several ideas are being pursued, including how to provide NHS dental services at Alford, to which I referred. Significant efforts are being made to recruit locums and permanent dentists to the area, including the major recruitment campaign that I highlighted.