A RECORD number of trainee dentists are coming to the region this summer to help address continuing challenges in dental care.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway welcomed the latest expansion of the dental outreach programme for the region this week.
Providing 12 new places for dentists in training plus tutors and support staff will make the region the biggest outreach dental training facility in Scotland.
Dental care in the region, and across the whole of Scotland and the UK, has been under increasing pressure over the last few years.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway Director of Dentistry Alison Milne said: “Accessing an NHS dentist for routine dental care has become incredibly difficult for many of our local population over the last few years and unfortunately this position is highly likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
“However, working closely together with Glasgow University and NHS Education Scotland, for the second year running, we have managed to increase the number of final year dental student numbers training in Dumfries again – from nine places last year to 12 this year.
“These students will provide single courses of dental care without charge to some members of the public who are not registered with an NHS dental practice in order to render them dentally fit. The students are supported and supervised by a team of experienced dental tutors and support staff.”
The dental students will be working under the public dental service in Dumfries, which provides dental care for people who cannot obtain treatment through a High Street dentist for various reasons, such as those living in care homes, people with complex needs, children in special care, and prisoners.
It also provides emergency treatment to other unregistered patients.
Eli Kirkpatrick is a University of Glasgow dental student, from Annan, and she said: “I’m from the region so I’m very aware of how serious the situation is. I was deregistered myself by my own dentist four years ago and I have family members who haven’t been able to register.
“I was hoping to come back here – it’s a nice place to live and I’m excited to come back here after so many years in the city.”
