The difficulty accessing an NHS dentist locally is something that has increasingly appeared in my MP mailbag.
Like many things, NHS dentistry is still recovering from the long-term impacts of Covid-19. But the issues actually began back in 2006, when the then Labour Government carried out dental contract reforms meant to incentivise NHS work, which instead only placed barriers in the way of delivery.
Then dentists paused operations during the early stages of the pandemic, which the Government reckons meant 40 million fewer courses of treatment were delivered during the years 2020-2022.
I understand accessing NHS dentistry is a problem in our area. That is why I invited the previous Minister for Dentistry to Gosport to talk to local dentists to hear what the profession needs moving forward. You can learn more about her visit here. I have also recently asked the new Minister for an urgent meeting so I can continue to push for improvements.
The Government has made clear that access to NHS dentists must be improved. Reforms will allow the best performing dental practices to see more patients and ensure better use of other professionals, such as dental therapists, hygienists and nurses. Our local Integrated Care Board has also confirmed that new NHS dental contracts will come in to force this year and are even looking at getting ‘dental buses’ to allow mobile dental care!
You will be pleased to know that a local dental practice is in the process of relocating and doubling in size, meaning they will be taking new NHS patients – there have been a few snags with this and I have urgently raised these issues with the Minister and NHS England to try and ensure this provision can provide NHS dental care to Gosport constituents as soon as possible. I will keep you updated when this happens.
Nationally, the NHS Dental Recovery plan, announced by the Government in February, aims to make sure that everyone who needs to, can see a dentist, making access to care faster and fairer.
2.5 million additional appointments are expected to be created by the changes over the next year.
The raft of measures being introduced as part of the plan include:
- offering dentists a bonus to take on more NHS patients
- cash incentives to encourage dentists to work in underserved areas
- dental van services in rural and coastal communities
- a ‘Smile for Life’ initiative for reception- and nursery-age children, offering vital preventative measures against tooth decay
- mobile dental teams tasked with going into schools and delivering fluoride vanish treatments
The plan is backed up with £200 million of funding, on top of the £3 billion that the Government already invests in dentistry each year.
This is a comprehensive plan which sits alongside the Government’s Long Term Workforce Plan, expanding dental undergraduate training places by 40% by 2031/32, as well as other employment focused schemes.
The introduction of these measures will not affect the way you secure a dentist appointment and usual NHS dental charges will still apply.
If you think you need urgent care, contact your usual dentist, if you have one, as some surgeries offer emergency dental appointments. You can also contact NHS 111, who can put you in touch with an urgent dental service.
Please do get in touch with my office with any other questions or concerns, and my team will be happy to help.
That can be done in the usual way by writing an email to [email protected].
