Charity welcomes new Scottish dental health policies focus on prevention

The charity believes that recommendations made in the policy, such as implementing discussions with patients about lifestyle choices and their effect on oral health and a greater focus on meeting the oral health needs of an ageing population, can make a real difference to the future of oral health in Scotland.

Since the introduction of lifetime NHS dental registration in Scotland in 2010 the amount of Scottish people registered with a dentist now stands at 95 per cent, but the amount of people visiting a dentist has decreased in recent years, something which this new policy looks to address.

Dubbed the ‘Oral Health Improvement Plan’ and launched by the chief dental officer for Scotland, Margie Taylor, it comprises a series of recommendations to help reduce health inequalities and prevent poor dental health throughout Scotland.

It outlines ideas for the future of oral health improvement and NHS dental services in Scotland and follows on from the publication of the consultation ‘Scotland’s Oral Health Plan’ in September 2016.