Liberal Democrat Public Health spokesman Jamie Stone has said new dental statistics show an alarming disparity in registrations across Scotland.

Just 70.7% of children are registered with a dentist in the Grampian health board, while 93.3% of children are registered in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Across Scotland, just 40% of under-3s are registered with a dentist, while less than 45% of over 75s are registered.

Registrations are up just 1% among adults and 0.9% among children since September 2009.

Commenting, Jamie Stone said:

“There is an alarming disparity in registrations between rural and urban areas.

“This is a direct effect of the shortage of dentists in areas such as Grampian, the Borders and the Highlands.

“We should be training as many dentists as possible and targeting provision in areas where they are needed most.

“People in Scotland have an equal right to access NHS services including dentistry. No-one should be disadvantaged because of where they live.

“Children of all ages, even those who have yet to develop baby teeth, should be registered with an NHS dentist as early as possible.

“And older people need to stay registered as oral health becomes even more important in later life.”