A record number of trainee dentists are coming to Dumfries and Galloway 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 NHS D&G 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.
“As you might expect, demand for the service is high and there is already a waiting list of unregistered patients. But with the increased student numbers we hope to be able to advertise for new unregistered patients for single courses of dental care in the coming weeks.
“We are also hoping that the students enjoy their time in Dumfries both clinically and socially. We have invited all members of local dental teams to come and meet them in their clinics here, and also to attend a regional event in early September. If we can continue to provide a really positive training experience, including meeting local dental teams, we aim to attract more of these young professionals of the future back to Dumfries and Galloway after graduation.”
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.”
Mirin McKinley is a University of Glasgow dental student from Glasgow, and she said: “I wasn’t aware of the issues in Dumfries and Galloway before I came but it was made quite apparent how bad it is, and how important the clinic service is. It’s really rewarding to be able to help people who haven’t been able to see a dentist for a long time.”
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.
They will increase its ability to provide care for people who are not registered with an NHS dentist.
Alison Milne said: “Another priority area for the Public Dental Service is unregistered children. Work is under way to introduce clinics to provide dental checkups and single courses of treatment for children currently being supported by the Childsmile team. This will be done within the Public Dental Service clinics with support from our University of the Highlands and Islands dental therapy school, which operates from Dumfries Dental Centre. “
Details of the additional treatment courses available will be published online shortly at www.dghscp.co.uk
