The Chief Dental Officer (CDO) has issued a letter to clarify practice opening hours and the requirement to provide emergency and urgent care following the publication of PCA(D)(2026)1.
The CDO letter CDO(2026)3 was issued as a result of the Scottish Government receiving some queries following the publication of the Primary Care Administration circular (PCA). The letter provides clarification on practice opening hours and requirements to provide emergency and urgent care.
It states that some queries suggested that the PCA has been read to mean dental practices would need to be open during ‘in-hours’ (08:00 – 18:00, Monday – Friday).
Emergency cover arrangements
These hours were referenced in the Emergency Cover section of the PCA and only apply to ensuring that arrangements are in place for emergency care for registered patients, rather than an indication or introduction of ‘core hours’ that dental practices are required to be open and patient facing.
It goes on to say that dental practices should have well established arrangements to ensure that patients may access urgent care and treatment during these times before any local out of hours service cover commences, stating the Terms of Service as set out in the PCA have been in force since the General Dental Services Regulations 2010.
Further information
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