DENTAL patients in this region are waiting on average 43 weeks for surgery, it has emerged.
That’s more than four times as long as in 2019-20 when it was ten weeks, and up on last year’s wait of 29 weeks as well.
The times were revealed in an Freedom of Information request by Scottish Labour.
And South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has slammed the Scottish Government after seeing the results.
He pointed out it’s a “shocking rise” of 330 per cent in five years.
Mr Smyth said: “These statistics are completely shocking but sadly, no-one in our region will be remotely surprised that once again, people are forced to suffer while waiting for dental surgery.
“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.
“For years, dentistry in Dumfries and Galloway has been, and remains, in crisis.
“I am furious the Scottish Government have repeatedly failed to wake up to the growing dental crisis.”
