Grampian has undergone a remarkable transformation in dental care access, moving from one of the most underserved regions in Scotland to becoming a model for NHS dental provision. Two decades ago, the region was gripped by a dental crisis. Local residents in Inverurie, for instance, were enduring harsh weather conditions as they queued in the hundreds to register with NHS dentists. This illustrated the severe shortage and urgent demand for public dental services across the area.
Today, however, the picture has changed significantly, particularly in Aberdeen. Local health leaders now point to Aberdeen as one of the leading areas for NHS dental provision in Scotland. The broader Grampian region, including Aberdeenshire and Moray—which previously faced considerable challenges—has also seen marked improvements. Mike Brown, NHS Grampian’s director of dentistry, attributes this shift to a gradual yet steady process that began in the late 2000s, initiated by the Scottish Dental Access Initiative. This program was designed to provide financial support to NHS practices in high-demand areas. Grampian responded well to the scheme, resulting in an ongoing increase in available services, though this momentum temporarily halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fortunately, the recovery from that pause has gained strength in the last couple of years. Practices have not only resumed operations but also expanded their offerings, increasing their capacity to deliver NHS services. Mr Brown believes part of the appeal lies in Grampian’s quality of life, which may be helping to attract and retain dental professionals in the region.
Currently, 47 dental practices across Grampian provide NHS services. Of these, 23 are in Aberdeen, 18 in Aberdeenshire, and six in Moray. Encouragingly, the network is set to grow further, with a new NHS dental practice opening in Elgin by year-end and additional practices in the works for Aberdeen. A recent health survey by the Press and Journal found that 58% of respondents who had accessed NHS dental care in Grampian and the Highlands reported satisfaction with their experience, reflecting the progress made.
Despite this improvement, some disparities remain. Mr Brown acknowledges that access in rural parts of Aberdeenshire and Moray still lags behind urban centres like Aberdeen. The rurality of these areas poses logistical and professional challenges. He notes, however, that while the coverage may not be as dense as in the city, the region now enjoys “pretty decent access across the board.” He also highlights a new development: dental practices are now proactively seeking new patients, a stark contrast to previous years.
Moray, in particular, was recently at the heart of a renewed dental access crisis, with adult NHS places becoming virtually unavailable due to a national dentist shortage. Just last year, long queues formed in Forres as patients rushed to secure NHS appointments, evoking memories of the earlier crisis. Yet significant progress has since been made. Moray now boasts six practices accepting NHS patients—up from zero just two years ago. Much of this improvement is credited to the efforts of 8to8Dental, a private company that opened four NHS-serving practices in the area. Their approach to staff retention, including offering training placements that convert into permanent roles, has proven effective.
Further bolstering the dental workforce, targeted recruitment and retention incentives have been offered in high-need areas such as Banff, Buchan, Fraserburgh, and Moray. Additionally, NHS dental reforms implemented at the end of 2023 by the Scottish Government have provided much-needed financial adjustments. The revised fee structure was designed to make NHS work more viable for practices, counteracting years of stagnant funding that failed to keep up with inflation and rising operational costs.
Looking ahead, Mr Brown encourages those without an NHS dentist to consider registering. While some rural residents may need to travel, coverage is now significantly more accessible, with services available from Stonehaven up to Banff and Fraserburgh, and with Moray continuing to enhance its offerings. The progress is substantial and appears to be lasting. For Grampian, the future of NHS dentistry is no longer clouded by crisis but illuminated by opportunity.
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