A significant shortage of accessible dental care in Scotland is preventing the early detection of serious health issues, including cancer, according to Scottish Labour.
The party highlighted that more than a third of Scots are currently struggling to secure dental appointments, a situation that has raised concerns over the potential health risks, particularly the early detection of life-threatening conditions.
In 2023-2024, over 1,000 referrals related to cancer were made by dentists across the country.
Paul Sweeney, Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on dental care, stressed the vital role that dentist checks play in early screening programs, especially for identifying cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.
“Dentist checks have a lifesaving role to play in the screening programmes that help us identify cancer early and treat it,” he stated.
Sweeney also pointed out the rising concern over delayed diagnoses and treatment, which are leading to preventable deaths.
He added, “This is why it’s all the more worrying that one in three Scots are struggling to access dentists, especially in the poorest areas.”
In response, Scottish Labour is pledging to address the issue by eliminating the “postcode lottery” in NHS dental access, ensuring that all Scots can access vital checks, regardless of where they live.
