NHS Dental Services Norfolk 2025-11-25
2025-11-25
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The share of adults in Norfolk seen by a dentist has risen from barely scraping 30% to well over 40% since the Labour Government took office, but there is still more work to be done. The University of East Anglia proposed establishing a dental school as part of the solution.
After 16 months of a Labour Government, the share of adults in Norfolk seen by a dentist has risen from barely scraping 30% to well over 40%—lots done, but lots more to be done. The University of East Anglia proposed a dental school as part of the solution. Will the Minister work with Department for Education colleagues to ensure that the Office for Students and other bodies give it the green light?
I, too, am absolutely delighted that more patients can see a dentist in Norfolk but, as my hon. Friend says, there is a long way to go. We are certainly not complacent, but we are showing that it is possible to turn things around. I am also pleased that the University of East Anglia has been approved as a dental school by the General Dental Council. The Office for Students has statutory responsibility for allocating dental school places, but I fully agree that UEA would be a good candidate for any additional Government-funded places allocated in future.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific details on working with Department for Education colleagues to ensure approval from the Office for Students and other bodies.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister told the Health and Social Care Committee that the spending envelope for dentistry would be confirmed by the end of the summer at the latest. There is concern about whether the Office for Students will receive a ministerial direction to launch a competition for new places, allowing University of East Anglia (UEA) to bid alongside other institutions.
The Minister told the Health and Social Care Committee that the spending envelope for dentistry would be confirmed by the end of the summer at the latest. Is the Office for Students still waiting for a ministerial direction to launch that competition for new places, so that UEA can bid along with others and so that we can get training places in Norfolk for the first time?
The hon. Gentleman is right: it is the Government’s responsibility to give a steer to the Office for Students, and we are very close to being able to put that together. I am expecting some advice from my officials later in the week, and I shall be happy to keep the hon. Gentleman updated on further progress.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not confirm whether the Office for Students is still waiting for a ministerial direction but indicated that he expects advice from his officials soon.
Response accuracy