Accessibility to Dental Services 2024-01-23
2024-01-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The government promised to introduce a dental recovery plan but has delayed it multiple times. Dentists in York are refusing NHS contracts.
What progress has been made on introducing a dentistry recovery plan? We were promised 'before the summer', we were promised 'after the summer', we were promised 'before Christmas', we were promised 'soon' and now we have been promised 'shortly'. The reality is that Labour has a plan and the Government have not. In York, we cannot get an NHS dentist either. Blossom Family Dental Care is just handing back its contract. My constituents have nowhere to go.
I understand the challenges people face but the situation has improved over the last year with 1.7 million more adults being seen and a 23% increase in NHS activity. We are putting in plans to enable many more people to be seen by NHS dentists. I encourage her to talk to her Integrated Care Board about dentistry funding.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify when the recovery plan will be published or concrete steps being taken immediately.
We Are Putting In Plans
I Encourage Her To Talk To Her Icb
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
An Oxford resident wrote to the MP saying that when his NHS practice closed, he could not find an alternative NHS dentist; all others offered only private care. A&E waits have increased due to people waiting for dental appointments.
I listened carefully to what the Minister said. That change has not come to Oxfordshire—it is in a dire state. An Oxford resident wrote to me saying that when his NHS practice closed, he rang a dozen others across the county and each one said they were offering NHS services but, in fact, they were only offering private care. In this cost of living crisis, people simply cannot afford that. As a result, they are waiting in A&E rather than getting treatment, and that ends up in their having oral surgery.
I am incredibly sympathetic. The number of adults seen by an NHS dentist rose from 448,000 to 485,000 in the past two years. The situation is improving but we need to do more and will be coming forward shortly with a big package of dental recovery plan reforms.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any immediate actions for Oxfordshire or concrete steps being taken now.
The Situation Is Improving
We Need To Do More
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Following a meeting with the Minister, the MP questions whether NHS England locally has been unblocked for his constituents to benefit from more dentists practising on NHS patients.
I thank my right hon. Friend for her answer. Following my very productive meeting with her only a few days ago, will she confirm that NHS England locally has finally been unblocked and that my constituents in Clacton will soon benefit from more dentists practising on NHS patients?
As my hon. Friend will know, this is a local matter and it is for his ICB to determine whether it wishes to support the pilot proposal for overseas dental students in Clacton. At the same time, it needs to ensure that its actions are compliant with current legislation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if NHS England locally has been unblocked or provide a timeline.
This Is A Local Matter
It Is For His Icb
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
For new patients, accessing an NHS dentist in Peterborough is almost impossible. The MP asks for support to establish a new dental practice.
For new patients, accessing an NHS dentist in Peterborough is almost impossible. Should a new medical centre wish to establish a new NHS dental practice, doing so would require flexibility in units of dental activity rates and the ability to recruit dentists from overseas. Would the Minister give that effort her enthusiastic support and encourage NHS bosses to do the same?
My hon. Friend is pushing against an open door. We made legislative changes in 2023 to triple the capacity of three sittings of the overseas registration exam from August 2023 and increase the number of sittings for the part 2 exam in 2024 from three to four, creating additional 1,300 places overall for overseas dentists aiming to work in the UK.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly confirm support or enthusiastic approval of establishing a new practice.
My Hon. Friend Is Pushing Against An Open Door
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Emma from Grimsby shared that since the onset of the pandemic, she has not been able to register with an NHS dentist and had to seek emergency appointments elsewhere.
I want to share with Ministers the experience of Emma from Grimsby, who said: 'NHS dentistry is a joke in the town at the moment. Thankfully I managed to get an emergency appointment in Scunthorpe (after being offered one in Doncaster originally) and I've now been referred to hospital to have 3 wisdom teeth removed. My dentist closed at the onset of the pandemic and I've not been able to register with an NHS dentist since.' What does the Minister have to say to Emma and the millions like her who cannot get an appointment when they need one?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. Since the covid pandemic we have not seen the recovery of dentistry that we would have liked. We brought in significant reforms in July 2022 to encourage dentists to take on more NHS patients but recognise the need for further action.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify what is being done now or immediate actions to help Emma and others like her.
We Brought In Significant Reforms
Recognise The Need For Further Action
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Government promised to introduce a dental recovery plan but has delayed it multiple times. Dentists in York are refusing NHS contracts.
What progress she has made on introducing a dentistry recovery plan?
I am determined to ensure that everybody who needs NHS dental care can receive it. We have already implemented reforms with 1.7 million more adults being seen and a 23% increase in NHS activity over the past year.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify when the recovery plan will be published or provide concrete steps towards its implementation.
We Have Already Implemented Reforms
Response accuracy