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Agrees with the Labour initiative but points out that dentists can charge high fees in private practice, making it financially unattractive for them to work in NHS. Emphasises the need for a rewritten constitution and contract to make NHS work worthwhile.
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Highlights that when the NHS was introduced, 83% of dentists signed up, compared to currently 66%. Points out decreasing numbers of participating dentists in Scotland, affecting patient access. Discusses health inequalities with children from deprived areas less likely to have seen a dentist recently.
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Acknowledges that NHS dentists are saints but emphasises the need for incentives due to financial implications. Discusses the 2006 dental contract and its impact on dentist participation in the NHS.
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The MP shares stories from his constituents who have struggled with high prices for urgent dental treatment. He emphasises that the NHS contract based on units of dental activity is no longer fit for purpose and calls for quick action to prevent a significant reduction in NHS dentistry services.
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The MP discusses the urgent and worsening state of NHS dentistry in Norfolk, highlighting that only 328 dentists are available with any NHS activity, a decrease from 423 in 2019. He calls for investment in a new dental school to train dentists where they are needed and urges reform of the broken NHS dental contract.
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The MP raises concerns about the low rates of adults seen by an NHS dentist in her constituency, citing testimonies from constituents struggling to access basic dental care. She welcomes recent steps taken by the Government but calls for real contract reform.
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The MP discusses heartbreaking stories of people in her constituency struggling with accessing NHS dentistry, particularly a constituent who cannot find an NHS dentist to provide the dentures he needs. She supports the Government's announcement of 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments and calls for better support for practices to attract and retain staff.
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The crisis in dental care is deeply affecting rural communities like West Dorset, where there are just 15 dental practices for a population of over 94,000. Only 36% of adults and 50% of children have seen a dentist in the past two years. The Government's rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent appointments is welcome but needs further detail on how rural areas will benefit.
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Minehead has the fewest dentists in the UK. The integrated care boards should be lobbied to ensure contracts are given out properly, as only two of 22 dentists have been recruited under the current funding model.
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The Conservative golden hello scheme has failed in Devon. Only two out of 22 dentists have actually been recruited despite a £377,000 budget for recruitment.
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Amber Valley has less than a quarter of the national average number of NHS dentists. Dentists receive low payment per treatment and struggle to retain staff, leading to long waiting lists. The integrated care board secured an additional £240,000 but more is needed for urgent dental care.
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NHS dental activity delivery rate in the south-west is 61.6%, compared to 94.7% in London, leading to high numbers of A&E visits for dental issues. Patients face difficulties finding NHS dentists and are forced into private treatment or suffer without care.
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There is a consensus that the NHS dental contract needs fixing, but a timeline for legislative action should be provided. Immediate solutions for patients like Claire Young's constituents are also needed.
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Single mothers and children suffer immensely due to lack of NHS dental care. My constituent Louise had to watch her four-year-old son suffer toothache without any proper treatment for up to two years, managing pain with Calpol and ibuprofen.
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Highlighted the case of Philip, a veteran who lost teeth and faced no local NHS dentists. Welcomed positive developments like an expanded dental practice in Cromer but criticised delays caused by lack of funding for a dental school at University of East Anglia.
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Described severe issues in Morecambe and Lunesdale, such as retired couples travelling long distances to see dentists. Criticised the NHS dental contract's perverse incentives that discourage treating patients who need it most. Emphasised the importance of prevention measures like supervised brushing and fluoride applications.
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Noted South Devon faces a severe lack of NHS dentists with over 60% adults and half of children not seeing a dentist in two years. Cited the underfunded NHS dental system, leading to staff shortages and low morale among professionals. Advocated for an emergency scheme to ensure free NHS check-ups for vulnerable groups.
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Emphasised the importance of preventive care measures such as supervised brushing and fluoride applications in early years settings to protect children from tooth decay. Supported her colleague's call for prevention rather than curative approaches.
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Acknowledged the efforts of dentists, hygienists, dental nurses and practice staff in his constituency but did not provide a detailed position beyond this statement.
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Families in Scotland struggle to access NHS dental treatment. Only about 66% of children have seen an NHS dentist in the past two years, with numbers dropping to 50% in deprived areas. Before the pandemic, Scotland admitted around 8,000 children annually for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic. The financial strain on dentists due to private sector incentives is leading to fewer NHS dental appointments and more providers moving into private practice.
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The state of NHS dentistry reflects a decade of neglect, with urgent care increasing by 35% in Peter's constituency. There are only 24 dentists per 100,000 people in the east of England and addressing this issue requires revising the dental contract and expanding training opportunities.
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Preventive care is better than cure, but NHS dentistry fails at basic public health levels. Dentists cross-subsidize NHS work with private income due to outdated contracts and increased staff costs from the national insurance rise. Oral health impacts overall physical conditions like cancer and heart problems.
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Access to NHS dentistry has long been problematic, but there is not a shortage of dentists per capita compared to 2010. The issue lies in the paucity of dentists doing NHS work due to financial incentives for private practice.
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The main problem with the current system is the 2006 contract for dental procedures. The amounts vary between practices based on historical data, there is a disincentive to treat new or high-need patients, and UDAs do not cover all costs. There needs to be reform of this contract and more dental places in underserved areas like Norwich and Lincoln.
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Asked the Minister for Secondary Care about the issue of national insurance costs for dental practices, suggesting that NHS dentists should be exempt from the recent increase in national insurance contributions.