The Scottish Government capital funding, which will be split as £35m for 2009-10 and £40m for 2010-11, will be used to upgrade and modernise primary care facilities across Scotland. Priorities for the funding include: new dental centres for independent general dental practitioner (GDPs) working in the NHS; upgrading of decontamination facilities in GDP practices; investment in community health centre projects and facilities, particularly in remote and rural areas; renovating existing health centres; and investment in teaching and training facilities for primary care professionals.  

Sturgeon said the funding announcement shows that the Scottish Government is “strongly committed” to improving dental services, particularly in areas where registration rates are “unacceptably” low. 

She continued: "Too many people in Scotland still don't have access to an NHS dentist and we are determined to reverse the years of neglect and bring NHS dentistry within reach of those who currently don't have access. 

"Already, we have seen the green shoots of recovery, with more registrations of adults and children across Scotland. We will build on recent increases in the number of dentists working in the NHS with a new 21-million-pound dental school in Aberdeen due to start training dentists in October. 

"I look forward to seeing the detailed proposals that come forward from health boards as we take the firm action needed to give Scotland a dental service to be proud of."