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NHS Dentistry: Rural Areas
05 November 2024
Lead MP
Sarah Gibson
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
NHSDefenceEmploymentTransport
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Sarah Gibson raised concerns about nhs dentistry: rural areas in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Sarah Gibson, MP for Chippenham, raised the issue of access to NHS dentistry in rural areas, focusing on the closure of Hathaway dental practice and its impact on her constituents. She cited data from the House of Commons Library indicating that 51,000 children in Wiltshire have not seen a dentist in the past year and noted that only 33% of adults under the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire integrated care board had seen a dentist in two years. The local ICB's projected dentistry underspend is £4.6 million. She emphasised the challenges posed by lack of public transport in rural areas and highlighted disparities between urban and rural dental provision.
She allowed Sarah Gibson to take her time during her speech.
Government Response
Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg and a Labour representative, acknowledged the severity of the NHS dentistry crisis in rural areas. He highlighted the government's commitment to addressing the challenges inherited from the previous administration and outlined several initiatives including the golden hello scheme offering up to £20,000 to 240 dentists working in underserved regions. The minister also mentioned efforts to improve dental workforce retention through postgraduate bursaries, apprenticeships for international graduates, and measures such as supervised tooth brushing programmes targeting deprived communities. Kinnock committed to long-term reforms including the overhaul of the dental contract system, with an emphasis on preventive care and addressing disparities in access to NHS dentistry across different regions.
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Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.