Published: Tuesday, 23rd February, 2010 2:33pm

Health minister officially opens dental practice in Hawick

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THE opening of a new dental centre in Hawick has been welcomed by local politicians. But, they say, more needs to be done to stop the rot.

Roxburgh and Berwickwshire Conervative MSP John Lamont spoke out after Scottish Minister for Public Health Shona Robison officially opened the Hawick Dental Centre on Tuesday.

It was purpose built on the Hawick Community Hospital site and follows the opening of the new practice in Coldstream last year.

The two projects, built at a combined total of about £1.8million from NHS Borders and Scottish Government funding, were designed to bring dramatic improvements to the future of oral health throughout the Borders.

Mr Lamont said: "The opening of this centre is a step in the right direction and will help many patients in the Borders who have previously been unable to access an NHS dentist. Coupled with the recent opening of another new centre in Coldstream, I hope that many more Borderers will now be able to access the service they need.

"However, although this progress is a step in the right direction, more still needs to be done by the Scottish Government to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists in the Borders. Whilst the dental staff are working as hard as they can to see as many patients as possible, there are still thousands of people, like myself, who have to make do with being parked on a waiting list in the hope that space will become available.

"I am pleased that there is now recognition that we do have a shortage of dentists in the Borders but much more still needs to be done. I will continue to press for better dental services in the Borders and will only be happy once the waiting lists are significantly reduced."

The Hawick Dental Centre, which has been operational since April 2009, contains six surgeries providing state-of-the-art treatment and care. It also offers the most up-to-date facilities including digital x-ray, decontamination and dental equipment, as well as a specialist x-ray machine which means patients can now be seen locally without having to travel to Borders General Hospital.

This dental centre has been identified as an exemplar site for decontamination of dental equipment providing a sterile at the "point of use" instrument. NHS Borders Dental Services is the first Health Board to achieve this quality of service and is fully compliant with the Glennie recommendations.

Speaking in advance of her visit, Ms Robison said: "The Scottish Government is committed to improving Scotland's dental service and oral health.

"A big part of this is ensuring that dental facilities of the highest standard are available across the country.

"I am delighted to be officially opening this state of the art centre which will continue to improve the access to NHS dental care throughout the Borders."

Last year it was revealed that dental care in the Borders was among the worst in Scotland.

Mary Wilson, Chair of NHS Borders Board, said: "I am pleased to welcome Shona Robson MSP back to Borders to officially open the Hawick Dental Centre. 

"Borders is fortunate in having a community dental service including the two wonderful new centres at Hawick and Coldstream providing top class modern facilities for patients and for staff to work in. 

"The service allows NHS Borders to make real improvements in dental health and many more people have access to NHS dental services now.  Staff and patients tell me how marvelous it is to have these improvements across the Borders."