Recruiting and Retaining Dental Professionals in Remote/Rural Areas

John LyonChief Administrative Dental Officer

NHS Western Isles

“Efforts should continue to address the shortage of NHS dentists in remote and rural regions. NHS Boards should

be encouraged to explore innovative methods of maximising recruitment”

Scottish Needs Assessment Report on Remote and Rural Dentistry 2007

Western Isles Dental Centre

Training of Dental ProfessionalsPrimary Care Dental Service ProvisionDelivery of Oral Health Improvement ProgrammesProvision of Specialist Dental Services

Dental Student Outreach ProgrammeDental students from Aberdeen Universityrotation to Stornoway throughout final year Dental Student Electives

BSc Oral Health Sciences from UHI3 year programme, students based in Stornoway, Dumfries and Inverness

Local students

Dental Hygienist/Therapist training

Single-handed Dental Practitioners

Professional isolation

Vocational Trainee DentistsBenbecula

First year rural/remote experience after undergraduate qualification

Vocational Trainee Dentists

Teamwork

Rural and Remote Dental Fellows

Three year programmeMSc qualification from Scottish Dental SchoolFunded by NES

Opportunities for further qualification

Out of Hours Dental Service

Integration with national NHS 24 emergency dental services

Incentives

Undergraduate Bursary

Vocational Trainee Allowance (Designated Areas)

“Golden Hello” (Designated Areas)Remote and Rural Allowance for NHS committed DentistsScottish Dental Access Initiatives GrantsPractice Improvement Grants

Thank you