A LACK of comprehensive dental care in Scotland is preventing the detection of other ailments including cancer, according to Scottish Labour.

Highlighting that more than a third of people north of the border are struggling to obtain dental appointments, the party called on the SNP government to ensure that “lifesaving” dental checks are available to all.

More than 1,000 cancer-related referrals were made by dentists in Scotland in 2023-4.

Scottish Labour dental spokesman Paul Sweeney said: “Dentist checks have a lifesaving role to play in the screening programmes that help us identify cancer early and treat it.

“There are too many cases of late cancer diagnosis and delays in starting treatment that are causing preventable and premature deaths.

“This is why it’s all the more worrying that one in three Scots are struggling to access dentists, especially in the poorest areas.”

He said that Scottish Labour would “end the postcode lottery in access to NHS dentistry … so that everyone can have access to these vital checks.”