Latest News

Dear all,

The Scottish Government has changed the model of primary care NHS dentistry in Scotland.  This was done at the beginning of November 2023.  The biggest change is adult patients, who are assessed to be low risk of having future dental problems, are to get a check up on a yearly basis, rather than the previous 6 monthly basis.  Patients who are considered to be of higher risk of getting future problems will still get check-ups every 6 months or may be reviewed even more frequently e.g., 3 monthly.  This evaluation of low/high risk will be made at each recall appointment and will be based upon your individual oral health needs.  You will still be able to see our team if you have a problem in between your exam appointments.  I have some reservations about this approach; however, one has to be open minded to results of research that the Scottish Government has commissioned.  It may free up scarce NHS resources/funding.  Children/Teenagers under 18 years of age will still be reviewed on a 6 monthly basis.  If you are to be reviewed on a yearly basis, you are only entitled to a NHS scale & polish on a yearly basis as well. 

The second biggest change is patients who are not on benefits, will have to pay a larger patient contribution towards the cost of their treatment.  The patient NHS fees are determined by the Scottish Government, not by myself.  We are happy to give you an estimate of the cost of any future treatment, please just ask.  The maximum patient contribution towards NHS treatment in one treatment plan remains presently at £384 or 80% of costs, whichever is lower.  All patients who are eligible to receive free dental care or help towards healthcare costs, will still be able to do so.  Please click this text to see NHS Scotland poster on prices.

The third biggest change is patients will now have to pay for repairs to their NHS dentures if they are not on benefits.  The patient contribution is presently £50.88.  Sadly there is no guarantees that denture repairs will last a certain amount of time, so please take this into consideration when deciding if you wish to repair a denture or not.

The Scottish government have published information on the new dental service at Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland – NHS inform  The Scottish Government is going to review the success of the new NHS Dental Model at some point next year.  It is possible the new model will be amended further based upon feedback from patients and the dental profession. 

I appreciate many of you will have a preference to still having your 6 monthly exams and scales & polish.  I may no longer be able to offer you on an NHS basis, but I will be able to offer you something independently.  I am looking into different options presently, asking my colleagues in other practices what they are doing.  Please be patient with me.  One option may be a private hygiene heath care plan.  I would appreciate any suggestions/feedback from yourselves in the next year. 

I will inform you of any developments in future communications.  If you have any questions please do get in touch by email, coventrydental.lesmahagow@gmail.com,  or phone the practice 01555 893992 during office hours.

Kind regards,

Richard Coventry
10/11/23