Press Association
Thursday 2nd September 2010
The number of Scots who have lost all their teeth was branded a "depressing indictment" of the nation's dental health.
More than a third of women and almost a quarter of men over 55 are estimated to have no natural teeth, according to Government figures.
Around 3% of 35 to 54-year-olds have no teeth, with the proportion of toothless women being slightly higher, statistics released in an answer to a parliamentary question showed.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie called on the Government to "sort this out".
Five years ago the previous Scottish Executive, a Labour-Lib Dem coalition, set a target for 90% of adults to possess some natural teeth by 2010.
Mr Finnie said: "This is a depressing indictment of Scotland's dental health. Unless the Scottish Government takes drastic action, they won't meet the target set by the previous Government.
"Improving Scotland's diet is essential. Our sweet tooth is not only taking its toll on our waistlines, it's hitting our teeth too. Regular dental checks are also very important. We know that in some parts of the country people still simply can't get an NHS dentist.
"The Scottish Government needs to sort this out."
Lib Dem MSP Jamie Stone said: "There is a crisis in dental services, particularly in rural and remote areas. People in Scotland have an equal right to access NHS services including dentistry. No-one should be disadvantaged because of where they live."
According to The Scottish Health Survey 2008, 88% of adults had all or some of their natural teeth. The survey also revealed that 78% of adults aged 55 to 74 had some of their own teeth, surpassing the target for 65% of adults to have some natural teeth by 2010.
