NHS Dentistry

I inform the House that I have selected the amendment in the name of the Prime Minister. I call the shadow Secretary of State.

One constituent has been trying for over a year to register with an NHS dentist and is now on painkillers and soup due to severe tooth decay issues. There is no satisfaction from the Minister's response.

Dental services in remote Scotland have deteriorated significantly under Conservative government policies. No Members from the governing party are present to hear this debate.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can impact oral health, yet women struggle for years to see an NHS dentist within a reasonable distance, with many dentists helping only with emergencies. This is evidence of a colossal failure in Tory dental policy.

NHS dentists are performing only 75% of their contracted procedures, dropping to as low as 26.5% and 30% in Devon and Somerset. This is wasting public money and creating NHS deserts.

41% of practice owners and 78% of associate dentists wish to leave NHS dentistry as soon as possible, highlighting the need for better funding and training more dedicated dentists committed to the NHS.

The link between poor oral health and cancer is serious, contributing to the problem of cancer waiting times. A constituent has not had a check-up since 2019 due to difficulties in accessing NHS dentists.

A couple moved into new housing but could not find an NHS dentist for over a year. They have two options: going private or using a previous dentist 20 miles away, which is unacceptable.

A constituent with military service background has struggled to find an NHS dentist due to frequent moves. This situation is shameful for those who have served the country.

The Bath constituency is described as an NHS dental desert, with people having no option but to go private. The issue goes beyond health and is an equality problem that the Government fail to recognise.

98% of Bristol NHS practices are not taking on new patients, with many unable to afford even lower fees. During the cost of living crisis, people delay check-ups due to budget constraints.

A constituent has contacted over 30 dental practices but found none accepting her and her one-year-old child. Local commissioners need authority to ensure effective dental commissioning in areas of high demand.

Critiques the speech for not mentioning his constituency's work on tackling failures by the Integrated Care Board and highlights all the work done to address missing contracts.

Ms Atkins emphasises the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing NHS dentistry. She outlines measures taken such as £1.7 billion of direct support during the pandemic, an increase in adult and child dental visits post-pandemic, and the introduction of a minimum rate for complex dental activity.

Ms Morgan raises concerns about dentists handing back their NHS contracts due to recruitment issues in her rural constituency. She asks what measures will be taken to recruit the necessary dentists for areas with dental shortages.

Dame Angela highlights cases where people were denied access to NHS dentistry during the pandemic, often being removed from their dentist's lists without notice and unable to register elsewhere. She seeks clarity on what will be done about this issue.

Mr Hayes suggests that the root of NHS dentistry problems lies with previous Labour Government contracts, prompting Ms Atkins to address whether she needs to revisit these issues alongside training more UK-based dentists.

Mr Streeting questions the Secretary of State on recent reports suggesting NHS dentistry activity is declining in 2023-24 compared to previous years, and asks for a timeline for the publication of her dental recovery plan.

Mr Mangnall corrects the shadow Minister's claim that Labour had plans for dental practice since 2010, stating there is no mention in Labour manifestos from those years.

Nuffield Trust has warned that NHS dentistry is at its most perilous point in its history. Recent Healthwatch polling suggests one in ten people have paid for private dental treatment due to a lack of available NHS dentists, affecting Seema's constituency where majority surgeries are not taking new patients.

N/A - only rose to speak, no detailed position given in the provided text

Order was called by Rosie Winterton to impose an immediate time limit of six minutes for each speaker to ensure everyone has roughly equal speaking time.

The crisis in NHS dentistry is affecting many constituents, leading to serious public health consequences. The gap between dental decay in deprived areas and less deprived areas is widening. Labour's plan includes a targeted toothbrushing scheme for 3-5 year olds, providing an extra 700k urgent appointments per year, and introducing incentives for more dentists in under-served areas.

The Chair highlighted that NHS dentistry is facing a crisis, resulting in declining oral health. He praised the Government's intention to increase dentistry training places but criticised the lack of detail on how urgent appointments will be fulfilled and who will provide them. The report recommended moving from units of dental activity (UDAs) to weighted capitation-based system prioritising prevention and care for new patients and those with greater needs.

Cummins argued that the Conservative Government has allowed NHS dentistry to decay over 14 years. She warned of a mounting crisis since 2016, noting that half of dentists were thinking of leaving the NHS by then. The Nuffield Trust recently announced that without radical action, universal NHS dentistry could be lost forever. In Bradford alone, 445 people had to be treated in hospital for dental-related issues between 2022 and 2023.

I listened carefully and with interest to what the shadow Secretary of State said in his opening remarks. My constituents are concerned about their oral health, not political bickering. Dentists and patients are struggling due to low funding and contract constraints. In Cornwall, one practice paid over £132,000 in clawbacks last year. The NHS dental budget underspend could reach £500 million nationally. However, the ICB is taking ownership of dentistry and driving local improvements. Therapists are ready to increase access for young children but face barriers due to current regulations. A statutory instrument could empower dental professionals fully. I urge the Minister to prevent further funding losses to Cornwall's dental patients.

The crisis in NHS dentistry affects over 12 million people, disproportionately impacting low-income and vulnerable groups. Oral cancer detection is suffering due to reduced access to dentists, who often spot early signs of oral cancer. Dentists are struggling with underfunding and high costs for staff. The Government's recovery plan remains unpublished and vague. Labour pledges more appointments, more dentists in the NHS service, and supervised toothbrushing in schools. I demand when the plan will be published and address the backlog.

Mr. Mangnall responded to earlier remarks, stating that the NHS contract from 2006 does not work and has been problematic since its inception. He criticised Labour for failing to provide specific plans addressing the current issues in dental services. The Member emphasised the challenges faced by dentists due to the pandemic but noted improvements such as an increase in dental training places and efforts to recruit foreign dentists. He highlighted three main priorities: prevention, education, and pain relief, with a focus on short-term solutions for immediate pain management. He proposed unlocking unused funds from NHS contracts and allowing dental therapists more flexibility in their roles. Mr. Mangnall also provided local examples of initiatives in Devon aimed at addressing the shortage.

Mr. Amesbury argued that everyone should have the right to receive dental treatment through the NHS, a principle undermined by 14 years of Conservative governance. He pointed out that 90% of dental practices are closed to routine NHS patients, creating 'dental deserts' across England. He shared the case of his constituent Allan from Northwich, who was de-registered as an NHS patient due to pandemic-related delays in appointments. Mr. Amesbury highlighted the strain on public services and parents struggling to secure NHS appointments for their children. He criticised the Government's handling of funds intended for dental care, noting that £10 million designated for local dentistry had been redirected by NHS England despite earlier assurances it would be used as planned.

The Government must train more dentists and dental professionals, focusing on increasing the roles of dental hygienists, therapists, and nurses to improve overall dental care. The NHS long-term workforce plan aims for a 24% expansion in training places by 2028-29, with a particular focus on dental therapy and hygiene professionals, who are critical in supporting dentists and increasing access to dental services.

The current situation of NHS dentistry is dire, with over 100,000 people in her constituency having limited access to dental care. Only seven surgeries are accepting new adult patients, and this issue extends beyond Birmingham, affecting the entire west midlands. Labour proposes funding for more urgent appointments, incentives for dentists working in underserved areas, and long-term reforms to rebuild the NHS dentistry service.

There is a pressing need to address the under-provision of dental services in Darlington. The current NHS contract for dentistry has proven unfair both to dentists and patients, with insufficient commissioning leading to the closure of practices unable to remain economically viable. He calls for more dental training, suggesting an addition of a dental school at Teesside University, requiring new dentists to spend time providing public services before going fully private, and pushing for mobile dentist visits in schools, especially in deprived areas.

Dental care in the National Health Service has fallen into crisis under the Conservative Government, with many people unable to secure an NHS appointment. In Westmorland and Lonsdale, one in 10 adults have resorted to private dental care or DIY dentistry due to unavailability of NHS services. The BDA found that one in four five-year-olds in Cumbria had tooth decay, the leading reason for hospital admissions among young people. The proportion of children seen by an NHS dentist annually dropped from 64% in 2018 to 50% last year, affecting half of all children in the area. Additionally, many adults cannot access necessary dental care, with only 36.5% having been seen by a dentist in the past two years. This neglect is leading to missed diagnoses of oral cancers and unnecessary suffering.

Saxby discussed the severe dental access issues in North Devon, noting that finding an NHS dentist took her two years when she moved there. She highlighted the case of a constituent with mental health issues who could not travel to receive treatment due to distance and lack of local options. Saxby also mentioned concerns from schools and nurseries regarding reduced visits from dental hygienists and noted that the waiting list for dentistry in Devon is over 100,000. She called on the new Minister to expedite recovery plans.

Foord intervened to support Saxby's concerns by sharing an example from Tiverton where elderly constituents faced difficulties finding NHS dentists after their local practice stopped accepting new patients. This underscores the widespread nature of dental access issues.

Hardy highlighted the worsening state of NHS dentistry, citing national surveys showing long waiting times for procedures and a drop in dental workforce morale. She shared constituent stories illustrating urgent needs, including issues with special educational needs dentists, lack of availability due to post-Brexit regulations, and financial strain from private dental costs. Hardy advocated for more dentist training and contract reforms while supporting Labour’s plan to address immediate needs.

Foy emphasises that NHS dentists are not at fault for the crisis and instead blames Ministers on the Conservative benches. She raises concerns about inaccurate statements made by the Prime Minister regarding the number of NHS dentists, citing a FOI response which contradicts these claims. Foy also criticises the Chancellor's autumn statement for failing to address dental issues, despite previous promises of a recovery plan.

Morris advocates for the reintroduction of school dentistry services which allowed thousands of children annual check-ups. He criticises the integrated care board's silo mentality, stating that it has passed responsibility to local authorities, making it difficult to implement such programmes. Morris points out alarming statistics regarding dental health among children and adults, including a significant proportion of children not receiving annual check-ups with NHS dentists.

Ms Daby discussed a constituent’s father who took his own life after years of seeking compensation for substandard dental work that left him in severe pain. She criticised the current system of discretionary indemnity cover and called for urgent reform to safeguard patients against such injustices.

Mr Russell-Moyle described how the NHS portal in Sussex is ineffective, leading the ICB to produce its own drop-in lists every month. He called for better planning and training of dentists through dental schools and highlighted issues with the current referral system for dental hygienists.

Launched the “Save Wakefield’s Smiles” campaign, shared testimonials of constituents who have been unable to access dental care due to long waiting times or high costs. Criticised the Prime Minister's response as inaccurate and misleading according to the British Dental Association. Labour plans to address the crisis by providing 700,000 more urgent dental appointments, recruiting new dentists, reforming the contract for preventative measures, introducing supervised toothbrushing in primary schools.

Expressed concerns about the decline in oral health and its impact on heart and lung health. Described NHS dentistry as being at a critical point due to 14 years of Tory neglect, with Wallasey facing particular challenges like few dental surgeries accepting new patients, people kicked off existing lists during the pandemic, care homes without access to treatment. Shared Sarah's story, an expectant mother unable to register for any surgery despite living close to multiple dentists; Annette's despair over being under-compensated and exhausted trying to meet unmet needs.

In Tamworth, five out of seven dental surgeries are not accepting new adult patients. In 2022, the Local Government Association found that Tamworth had a ratio of only 0.065 dentists per 1,000 people. With population growth and inadequate services, tooth decay is now the most common reason for hospital admissions among children aged six to ten. The Health and Social Care Committee report in 2023 described the current contract as 'not fit for purpose' and 'unacceptable'. Over 12 million adults could not access dental care last year, with some resorting to DIY dentistry. Labour calls for urgent reform, more appointments, targeted recruitment schemes, and a new contract.

My constituents struggle to access dental care when they need it or afford private alternatives. NHS practices are going fully private or restricting services, forcing people to wait for emergencies and travel long distances. Last year, 800 people in Bedfordshire were admitted to A&E for tooth-related reasons. Labour calls for immediate support for dentists, incentives for new dentists in underserved areas, more urgent appointments, supervised brushing in schools, and reform of the NHS dentists' contract.

Inability to gain access to an NHS dentist is a critical issue in my constituency. The opening of additional NHS dentistry practices is making national news due to the overwhelming demand, with people queuing just for a chance to be seen by a dentist. I personally experienced difficulty registering both myself and my 88-year-old mother as new patients, which highlights the severity of the situation. In rural areas like mine, accessing dental services can be particularly challenging, often requiring travel to distant towns or cities. The NHS Dentistry Services are failing approximately half of the population due to insufficient funding, causing significant distress among constituents. Labour proposes solutions such as supervised toothbrushing in schools and incentivising dentists to work where they are needed most.

NHS dental services face unprecedented access problems, particularly affecting rural areas like Somerset. There is only one dentist per 1,773 people in my constituency, leading to severe shortages of available dentists for new adult patients. This lack of provision causes anxiety and frustration among residents who cannot find a dentist to see them. The Government’s failure to reform NHS dental contracts and delay in publishing the promised recovery plan further exacerbates the issue. A constituent aged 60 has not seen a dentist in years, leading to constant pain and loss of confidence, social isolation, and inability to work or shop freely. To address this crisis, we need mobile dentistry hubs for rural communities and reforms that incentivise dentists to provide services and take on new patients.

Disheartened by the Government's lack of presence and leadership, Keir Mather discusses the dire state of NHS dentistry in England. He highlights that the number of active NHS dentists is at its lowest in a decade, with only one-third of adults and less than half of English children having access to an NHS dentist. In his constituency, there are just nine dental practices offering NHS services for a vast rural area, leaving many without essential care due to issues like inadequate public transport. He blames the Conservative party's chronic underfunding over 13 years for this crisis and outlines Labour’s comprehensive plan to revive NHS dentistry by funding more urgent appointments, incentivising new dentists in areas of need, implementing supervised toothbrushing in schools, and reforming the dental contract.

Alex Sobel addresses the severe lack of access to NHS dentistry in West Yorkshire, where no dentists are accepting new patients in Leeds with waiting lists extending for years. A dentist in his constituency withdrew from the NHS scheme due to a 'chronic lack of investment,' affecting 15,000 patients and making dental care unaffordable at £640 per year under the new private plan. He calls for urgent reform recognising the integral role of oral health in overall wellbeing, advocating Labour’s plans to provide more appointments, education on basic life skills like toothbrushing, and reforms to the dental contract that have failed to materialise over 14 years.

Andrew Western criticises the Conservative Government's handling of NHS dentistry, noting only 4% of practices in Trafford are accepting new adult patients on the NHS. He highlights outdated dental search websites providing false information to constituents. Patients face unacceptable wait times for treatment, with many enduring months of pain and inability to work or learn normally. Since 2010-11, total funding for dental services in England fell by 8%, leaving budgets unable to cope with inflation or population growth despite minor tweaks to the dental contract criticised at the time. He contrasts this with Labour's immediate action plan including more urgent appointments, incentives for new dentists in areas of need, supervised toothbrushing in schools, and reforming the dental contract.

Ms. Preet Kaur Gill criticised the current Government's lack of delivery on their pledge to restore NHS dentistry, noting fewer NHS dentists now than when they took charge and no national roll-out of a supervised toothbrushing scheme for children despite cavities being the top reason for hospital admissions among children aged 6-10. She raised concerns about ICBs cutting back funding for dentistry, leading to practices refusing new patients and one practice in Birmingham facing budget shortages from next month. Ms. Gill also highlighted Labour's plan to roll out a national supervised toothbrushing scheme targeting the most deprived 20% of children.

Welcomed the chance to discuss challenges in dentistry and outlined progress made on dental services since the COVID pandemic. Emphasised the importance of supervised toothbrushing programmes for young children, the increase in NHS dentist appointments, and the expansion of dental training places. Acknowledged specific concerns raised by MPs regarding access and workforce issues while expressing commitment to addressing these through short-term recovery measures and long-term reforms.