The crisis in NHS dentistry could be repeated in GP surgeries across Scotland – with families facing a future without a doctor, patients have been warned.

And an urgent call for more investment has been sounded with the situation described as at “breaking point” and GP services at the “edge of the cliff”.

It comes after a decade that has seen the number of practices fall by almost one in 10 while the population of the country has increased.

Last night, one doctor said the dire shortage of NHS dental services could be replicated in general practices unless immediate action is taken.

Dr John Montgomery, of the David Elder Practice in Govan Health Centre, Glasgow, said: “We have seen this crisis in NHS dentistry and we are absolutely heading the same way in general practice.

“We are already seeing parts of Scotland where patients can’t register with their local practice, practices closing their lists. We have seen one practice in Edinburgh where patients were queueing to sign up.

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