Life-saving defibrillators are to be installed in every NHS dental practice across Scotland under a £1 million scheme to boost the survival chances for people who have heart attacks.
More than 1500 Scots died last year after suffering a cardiac arrest outwith hospital, the Scottish Government said.
The move aims to get 970 defibrillators into communities across Scotland - one for each NHS dental practice.
The easy-to-use machines will also be mapped on to the Scottish Ambulance Service control system to help call handlers direct people to the nearest practice while an ambulance is on its way.
Defibrillators deliver an electric shock to the chest to restore the heart to a normal rhythm after a cardiac arrest. Just 5% of people who have a heart attack in the community survive.
Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said: "Every second counts when someone's heart goes into cardiac arrest and having access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death."
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