Access to NHS Dental Services 2025-03-25
2025-03-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The north-west of England has some of the worst levels of children’s oral health, with Cheshire and Merseyside falling below the national average. In rural areas like Bunbury and Kelsall, residents face difficulties accessing NHS dental care due to limited bus services and barriers preventing dentists from opening practices.
Given the challenges of rural access, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that NHS dental provision is available in those rural communities?
We have implemented a golden hello scheme to attract 240 dentists with a £20,000 joining bonus payment to work in dental deserts. We are negotiating with the British Dental Association on long-term contract reform aimed at incentivising dentists to do NHS work.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps for rural communities were not addressed beyond mentioning golden hello scheme and ongoing negotiations.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is an urgent need for dental training capacity in Norfolk, where new dental training places are required to start in 2026.
Can the Minister confirm that the Government will enable the Office for Students to allocate new dental training places in the east of England to start in 2026?
Before instructing the Office for Students, we need to have clarity on our financial envelope post-comprehensive spending review in June. Once that is known, and if funding allows, we will be looking at creating new dental training places.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment without specific timeline or certainty due to pending comprehensive spending review.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Many young people are deterred from studying dentistry due to high costs associated with the course.
What discussions has he had with the Education Secretary on providing more financial support to young students who want to study dentistry?
Discussions have taken place about ensuring capacity in teaching and training in dentistry, but further clarity is needed from the comprehensive spending review to provide more specific details. The Minister would be happy to discuss this issue further once funding specifics are known.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to discuss later without immediate concrete financial support measures.
Response accuracy