13-05-2025
NHS availability gives Cardonald dental patients much to smile about
These include dental nurses, hygienists and receptionists offering, in addition to the full range of NHS dental treatments and private dentistry, a gamut of specialist treatments including cosmetic dentistry, implants, teeth straightening, teeth whitening, veneers, and facial aesthetics.
(Image: Neil Scott, Associate Dentist at Cardonald, Glasgow)
Lead clinician, Dr Neil Scott, expresses it more succinctly: 'Our focus is preventative treatments,' he says. 'People generally want a dentist who is competent, caring, communicative, and can provide a comfortable experience – someone they trust and have a good relationship with, and if they want to do something different by way of a specialist treatment, we have the expertise in-house to be able to offer that too.
'Dentistry used to be perceived as a reactive service; you waited until you were in pain before you visited the dentist. Now the emphasis is pro-active to the point of being able to prevent the need for treatment. This is especially important with children, and we encourage children to become familiarised with the setting and performance part as early as possible. Trust should be at the heart of all dentist-patient relationships.'
Part of the Glasgow headquartered Scottish Dental Care, within the last year Cardonald Dental Clinic has attracted more than 1,000 new patients mainly through word-of-mouth referrals - the majority of which are NHS patients. And there is still capacity for more.
For those who choose private care, the group is partnered with Denplan, the UK's leading dental payment plan provider designed to spread the cost of treatments and cover the cost of emergency treatment away from home in the UK or abroad.
Existing patients meanwhile, come from the local area and much further afield – proof, if it was needed, that dentistry is all about relationships, and when you enjoy a good relationship with a dentist you know and trust, you will happily go the distance to remain with the same practice, even if you move out of the area.
Modern dentistry is driven by technology, which requires substantial investment. This clinic's five surgeries are bright, yet comfortable and not overly clinical, minimalist, and basking in the spotlight is a very stylish recliner, while the addition of discreet screens signals a new era of digital dentistry.
Impressive as it is, the technology here delivers real benefits. 'My favourite piece of kit is our digital intra-oral scanner,' says Dr Scott. 'This allows us to keep scans for future comparison and show patients their own teeth in a way that helps them see and understand the problem and value the outcome.
"But it really comes into its own for taking impressions – no more pink gloop and plaster models. In addition, digital scanning makes design and laboratory processes quicker, easier, and provides a more precise result.'
He continues: 'Technology is also empowering for patients. It breaks down the mystique, which in turn, helps to minimise any anxiety and allows us more time to chat with patients and better understand or identify any concerns they may have, for which there could be a solution.
"For example, a patient's teeth may not require general dental treatment, but if their teeth are crooked or badly discoloured it can have an adverse effect on their confidence and lifestyle. Teeth straightening and whitening are simple solutions that can give a patient's morale a huge boost and allow them to smile again without feeling self-conscious. Corrective and cosmetic treatments are seeing increased demand.'
Technology also empowers the practice and saves time spent on paperwork – any forms that need to be filled in are sent to patients in advance as opposed to completing forms when they arrive at the practice. 'Our prime focus is spending time with patients, not paperwork and procedures,' he stresses.
In the past, studies have consistently shown a relationship between age and dental anxiety, with younger age groups (16-24 years) showing higher levels compared to older age groups.
'Preventative dentistry and modern treatments are effectively reducing anxiety,' says Dr Scott. 'Nowadays, with numbing jelly and modern anaesthetics there is no need for pain.' A dentist's waiting room can be an excellent anxiety barometer… and in this practice's waiting area, calmness reigns supreme.
There are numerous challenges in running a dental practice in 2025, including an ever-evolving economic landscape, technological shifts, staffing, on-going training, and patient expectations.
Conversely, there is also the potential for improvement and opportunities for new technological advances such as tele-dentistry – using information technology like video conferencing and online platforms to provide dental care remotely and enable patients to consult with dentists without being physically present.
Does Scotland need more dentists? Dr Scott replies: 'In addition to more dentists, I think we need more people with a health mindset pro-actively working to prevent disease, which in turn reduces the need for treatment.
"The challenge of funding an NHS dental service has caused some dentists to move to exclusively private practice and the new payment system recently introduced by the Scottish Government aims to address this - and is an improvement - but it is not enough, and its effectiveness remains uncertain.'
Dr Scott concludes: 'Being part of Scottish Dental Care expands our access to resources and expertise and helps younger dentists gain experience and training, and the way in which we work allows us more time to facilitate most requirements in-house and spend more time with patients.'
Cardonald Dental Clinic is here to welcome patients old and new – for more details call 0141 882 9800 or visit
