Wishart highlights orthodontic list for waiting list

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat, Beatrice Wishart, has today questioned the Minister for Public Health, Maree Todd MSP, on Shetland’s orthodontic waiting list, that has a waiting list. During a session of Health and Social Care portfolio questions Wishart asked the minister:

“There are continuing and long term issues for people in Shetland trying to access NHS dental services.

“My 16-year-old constituent is on a waiting list to join an orthodontic waiting list and she says and I quote:

“"I was told that I needed a brace when I was ten, so have been waiting for six years with a sense of insecurity,”

“They were confirmed as a priority case and have been waiting indefinitely to start treatment.

“This delay in treatment could have long term impacts on my constituent’s dental health.

“I am in dialogue with the Minister about this specific case but does she think that such delays in treatment are acceptable?”

Ms Todd responded that mitigating actions were now in place, including weekend appointments. However, Ms Todd confirmed that the case Ms Wishart raised was not receiving the service the Scottish Government would hope for and would only receive an orthodontic appointment once the current cohort of patients’ treatment had been completed.

After the exchange Ms Wishart said:

“It’s a damning indictment of the failure in the NHS dental service in Shetland that you must first be on a waiting list, to only then join an orthodontic waiting list, and this is after being told you were a priority. We cannot leave people waiting indefinitely to start treatment.

“The Scottish Government provide excuse after excuse. They cannot continue to dodge the issues and avoid the facts.

“Islanders need more access to NHS dentistry and services. Addressing the situation now will save the NHS expense in the long term by treating oral health before it becomes a long-term and ongoing problem.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The full exchange can be seen here.