The news that the Gretna dental practise has informed patients that they will stop the provision of adult NHS dental services “must act as a wake-up call to both Governments of a growing dental crisis”, according to South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth.

From 10 November 2022 around 2400 patients at the practise will only be able to get treatment at the Gretna practise if they pay privately at the practise.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth, “This news is a bitter blow to thousands of patients in the Gretna area who will now be forced to go private if they want dental care locally.

“The double whammy of the UK Government’s Brexit incompetence has led to a huge number of vacancies in dentistry and the Scottish Government’s funding cuts to dentists has made this move almost inevitable.

“What makes me angry is that both Governments were warned that moves such as this by dental practises would happen, but they have ignored those warnings.

“The local health board needs to work with patients to help them find alternative NHS provision as close to Gretna as possible and this must act as a wake-up call to both governments of a growing dental crisis”.