BBC Wales has, today, a report on a woman travelling 200 miles for a dentist appointment. BBC Health linked to BBC UK and Northern Ireland has a similar account. BBC Scotland has a different dentistry story and is ignoring the ‘crisis’.

The BBC Health report even has this:

Compared with other nations, Scotland was found to have better access to NHS dentistry for adults, with 18% of practices accepting new patients. However Wales, England and Northern Ireland were at 7%, 9% and 10% respectively.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66167563

Now, why would the BBC in Labour-run Wales want to ignore that? Why would the BBC in SNP-run Scotland also want to avoid it?

The BBC Wales and BBC Health reports do not blame the Welsh or UK governments for this problem.

But, on 28 June 2022, BBC Scotland had:

Dentists have accused the Scottish government of “pulling away the life support” from the service with plans to reduce payment rates.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-61965010

and in August 2022:

David McColl, who chairs the BDA’s Scottish dental practice committee, said: “The Scottish government promised free NHS dentistry for all, but the public are now living with the harsh reality. “You can’t run a health service on soundbites and slogans. Ministers need to take a long, hard look at the evidence and bring forward the reforms and resources we need to deliver for patients across Scotland.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-62425268