Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Dental Provision

Tuesday 1 November 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department provided 1.7 billion during the pandemic and increased payment to dentists for extra weekend activity.
  • The government is considering reforms including incentives for dentists working in poor areas and easing entry for overseas dentists.
  • The shift to integrated care boards is intended to improve NHS dental services by focusing on local priorities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Fletcher
NHS
Context

The MP notes the significant challenge in local dental services, highlighted by a £1.7 billion support package during the pandemic.

Question

What steps has the Department taken to help improve local dental provision? The Minister is aware that recent Local Government Association analysis showed Bolsover has some of the worst dentist provision in the UK; constituents struggle with access and registration issues, daily highlighted by them. Will the Minister meet me to discuss further actions for dentistry in Bolsover?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

The Department provided £1.7 billion during the pandemic, and we now pay dentists more fairly with extra weekend activity for practices; 530 additional dentists did NHS work last year. Seven Derbyshire dental providers will deliver extra weekend activity to improve access this winter; we explore incentivising dentists in challenging areas.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Fletcher
NHS
Context

The MP notes that nine out of ten dentists are not accepting NHS patients, exacerbated by the soaring cost of living, affecting constituents' ability to afford necessary treatment.

Question

Effective dental provision is essential for quality of life, nutrition, confidence, and future health. Nine out of ten dentists do not accept NHS patients; my constituents cannot afford dental care due to the rising costs. What will the Minister say to them and what actions will be taken to address this issue?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

We are thinking about reforms from this summer, including next dental contract ideas like incentives for poor area work; we review GDC processes to ease NHS care entry for overseas dentists; considering the UK's internal market to facilitate inter-regional dentist practice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific actions or timelines, only that ideas are being considered.

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Q3 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
NHS
Context

The MP welcomes the shift of NHS dental services responsibility to her local Hampshire integrated care board, highlighting its potential for improving service focus.

Question

I welcome the shift in responsibility for NHS dental services in my area to my local Hampshire integrated care board. That will bring a real improvement by focusing on local priorities, rather than the previous regional approach. Will my hon. Friend join me in encouraging ICBs to ensure that they adequately fund dental services, especially for elderly people and children? Dental health is as much of a priority as any other aspect of our health.

Answer from Neil O'Brien

The shift to ICBs is right, providing an opportunity for service integration. The important preventive role dentistry plays should be stressed as it reduces demand on other health services.

Not addressed: No specific support or actions were promised for encouraging ICB funding.

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Q4 Maria Miller Con
NHS
Context

A constituent reported no NHS dentists accepting patients within 25 miles of Southampton, highlighting the severe lack of dental provision.

Question

A constituent recently contacted about an NHS dentist possibility received information that no dentists in Southampton are taking on patients; no one within 25 miles is doing so either. What does the Minister have to say to my constituent with no immediate prospect for a dentist?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

There were 1,255 active dentists in NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB last year; however, there is an issue as highlighted by the MP. The Minister is happy to talk more about this important problem offline.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not address the lack of immediate dentist availability directly.

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Q5 Alan Whitehead Lab
NHS
Context

The MP notes constituent struggles with accessing NHS dentists, highlighted by recent Local Government Association analysis showing poor provision.

Question

The Minister is aware that recent Local Government Association analysis showed Bolsover has some of the worst dentist provision in the UK. That is highlighted by constituents to me daily. Whether it is getting access to treatment or even registering for an NHS practice, my constituents are struggling. Will the Minister take a look at that and meet me so we can discuss what more we can do for dentistry in Bolsover?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

The Department provided £1.7 billion during the pandemic; now, we pay dentists more fairly with extra weekend activity for practices; 530 additional dentists did NHS work last year. Seven Derbyshire dental providers will deliver extra weekend activity to improve access this winter.

Answered
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