Dental Treatment Access List now open on Lewis

To help improve access to dental services, NHS Western Isles has opened a Dental Treatment Access List on Lewis, recognising the challenges many people have faced in registering with General Dental Services (GDS).

A Treatment Access List is a waiting list for a one‑off course of dental treatment for individuals who are not currently registered with a GDS dentist. This approach helps people – particularly in areas where routine dental registration is limited – receive essential care to stabilise their oral health.

Lewis will now follow Uist and Barra, where Treatment Access Lists are already in place. Introducing the list on Lewis will support a consistent approach across the Western Isles and also provide better insight into local demand and unmet need, as the numbers joining the list will help highlight pressure points in service capacity.

Individuals living in HS1 and HS2 who are not registered with a dentist can now add their name to the Treatment Access List for a course of treatment by calling 01851 707500.

The decision to introduce the list was discussed at a recent NHS Board meeting. At the meeting, Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson highlighted ongoing challenges in the operational delivery of dental services across the Western Isles and noted that the full extent of unmet need is not yet clear.

In terms of access, prioritisation is given to children, and Childsmile and NDIP programmes continue to be delivered to allow targeted care provision and support, as well as patients who may require priority access due to medical or social vulnerabilities e.g. patients awaiting complex medical procedures and needing to be dentally fit, patients with additional support needs or other vulnerable adults. Those who contact with a dental problem will be triaged using the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) guidelines and supported in their onward care prioritised by need.

Mr Jamieson noted that the situation on Uist remains the most challenging within the Western Isles. NHS Western Isles is currently experiencing unexpected dentist vacancies, and active recruitment is underway for both Uist and Barra. The Board recognises the significant concern within the community and sincerely regrets the difficulties this is causing. NHS Western Isles remains committed to maintaining three dentists plus support staff on Uist and is currently recruiting two Public Dental Officers and one Senior Dental Officer, with the Senior role being a new enhanced post.

Recruitment efforts are ongoing, and emergency dental cover remains in place in the interim.