School pupils in some of Scotland's most deprived communities are to benefit from regular dental check-ups under plans being brought forward.

For the first time since the 1970s, dentists will go into Scottish schools to check on the oral health of youngsters.

The plans, which were mooted in the SNP's pre-election manifesto, are designed to tackle Scotland's poor record on tooth decay.

Figures released earlier this year by the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry placed Scottish children at the bottom of the UK dental care league.

Nearly half, 46%, of young Scots have tooth decay by the time they start school, compared to 39% of youngsters in England and Wales.

Under the executive's plans, the scheme would first be introduced in schools in the most deprived areas and then rolled out throughout the country if it is a success.

A spokesman for the executive said: "The new Scottish government recognises the importance of early years monitoring to ensure good dental health and is looking at ways of introducing a school-based dental service." The scheme was given a cautious welcome by the Tories, who questioned whether there were enough dentists to make it work.

Mary Scanlon, Tory health spokeswoman, said: "I see the merit in checks at schools and mobile units appear to be a good idea. However, the question is will there be enough dentists?

"Perhaps it would be better to have more NHS dentistry in towns and villages so that, particularly in rural areas, children can carry on seeing a dentist after primary school."