According to Freedom of Information data obtained by Scottish Labour, patients in Lanarkshire waited an average of 35 weeks or two-thirds of a year for surgery in 2023 to 2024, compared to five weeks in 2019 to 2020, with one patient waiting more than three years for surgery.
The data also showed that patients in Lothian, Dumfries and Galloway waited more than four times as long compared to four years earlier. One patient in Grampian had to wait four years for surgery.
Data has revealed that in every area of Scotland, except Forth Valley and Orkney, patients have waited longer for surgery than in 2019 to 2020.
Paul Sweeney, Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on dentistry, said, “Being in pain every time you eat a meal or try to talk is agony for a few days, let alone months or years, but that is the reality for many of those unfortunate enough to be on a waiting list for dental surgery.
“The SNP has presided over a rot in local NHS dentistry over the past 17 years, and it needs to brush up its act fast.
“A Scottish Labour government will end this creeping two-tier health system and ensure that patients can get the treatment they need.”