Anger at IOTN introduction in Scotland
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- Published: Saturday, 17 December 2011 20:05
- Written by News Editor
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| Labour has accused the Scottish Government of ‘sneaking’ out an announcement on the introduction of IOTN that, they say, could force parents to pay thousands to fix their children’s teeth. Health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said people would be “understandably angry†after it emerged parents could face bills of up to £2000 for treatment. |
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Although the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need is well known in England and Wales, it has been introduced for the first time in Scotland from October 1. Orthodontists will have to prove that a patient’s health will be improved by treatment before referring them, which means that in some cases orthodontics for cosmetic purposes only will no longer be funded.
Notifying the NHS earlier this year of the change, Chief Dental Officer, Margie Taylor, said that one of the actions contained in the Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland was that community based orthodontic treatment should be concentrated on those who are assessed under IOTN as having clinical needs.
IOTN would be introduced with effect from 1 October 2011 as a means of assessing whether orthodontic treatment is required and therefore can be provided under general dental services.
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