All healthy: But many over-55s have none of their own teeth. Pic: © STV
Scotland's dental health has come in for strong criticism as a report revealed that more than one-third of women over 55 have no natural teeth left.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie called the figure a "depressing indictment" of the nation's health picture and urged the Scottish Government to take action.
Statistics have revealed that more than one-third of women over 55, and almost one-quarter of men in that age bracket, are estimated to have no natural teeth. Around 3% of 35 to 54-year-olds have no teeth, with the proportion of toothless women being slightly higher, statistics released in an answer to a parliamentary question showed.
Five years ago the previous Scottish Executive, a Labour-LibDem coalition, set a target for 90% of adults to possess some natural teeth by 2010. Mr Finnie said: "This is a depressing indictment of Scotland's dental health. Unless the Scottish Government takes drastic action, they won't meet the target set by the previous government.
"Improving Scotland's diet is essential. Our sweet tooth is not only taking its toll on our waistlines, it's hitting our teeth too."
According to the 2008 Scottish Health Survey, 88% of adults had all or some of their natural teeth. The survey also revealed that 78% of adults aged 55 to 74 had some of their own teeth.
