Argyll and Bute is one of six Scottish council areas described in a new BBC report as “dental deserts” with no practices taking on new adult NHS patients within three months.
Commenting on the findings, Highlands and Islands Regional MSP Tim Eagle said: “Sadly these revelations do not come as a surprise. Since becoming an MSP, earlier this year, I have been contacted by constituents from across Argyll and Bute – including Dunoon and Campbeltown – raising this issue with me. Indeed, one of the first questions I asked in the Scottish Parliament was on this very subject.
“It is very important that people get into the habit of regular check-ups, particularly young people, and I fear that we will be storing up trouble for the future if people can’t access NHS treatment.
“This is why I have been urging ministers to take this more seriously and make it a priority.
“Provision of dental treatment should not be a geographical lottery, and people in Argyll and Bute should not be penalised on the basis of their postcode.”
