Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NHS Dental Contracting Framework

Tuesday 15 October 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Lee Pitcher raised concerns about the high rate of hospital tooth extractions among children in his constituency and the overall effectiveness of the NHS dental contracting framework.
  • The Minister committed to working with the British Dental Association to reform the dental contract and increase access to urgent dental appointments.
  • Jim Shannon inquired about the dental contract for elderly individuals and those receiving certain benefits, highlighting significant unmet needs in this group.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Pitcher Lab Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
NHS
Context

The MP notes significant issues in accessing NHS dental care, including long wait times for appointments and high levels of tooth decay among children. He references a constituent who had to treat her son's teeth herself after five years without an appointment.

Question

What assessment has the Department made of the effectiveness of the NHS dental contracting framework? I am concerned about the massive scale of problems, such as one in four 5-9 year olds being admitted to hospital due to tooth decay and the inability for some constituents to access necessary care. The Government's pledge to provide more emergency appointments is appreciated but will take time to address the issue.

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We cannot fix the matter overnight, but we are committed to reforming the dental contract and working with the British Dental Association to focus on prevention and retention of NHS dentists. We are also working at pace to ensure that patients can access an additional 700,000 urgent dental appointments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effectiveness assessment was not provided

How: Committed To Reforming, Working With The Bda

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Q2 Lee Pitcher Lab Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
NHS
Context

The MP highlights horror stories from his constituency, including a constituent who could not find an NHS dentist after five years and another whose teeth are crumbling due to illness. He requests assurances that people in his area will receive the necessary priority.

Question

Can you reassure me that people in my constituency will be given the priority they deserve? South Yorkshire has the highest level of hospital tooth extractions, and I want to ensure interventions target areas of greatest need.

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We will target interventions at the areas of greatest need. For example, integrated care boards have started to advertise roles through our “golden hello” scheme, which will drive recruitment of graduate dentists to areas of greatest need for three years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific priority mechanism not provided

How: Target Interventions, Recruitment

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP raises concerns about the issues faced by those above state pension age, particularly regarding benefits such as attendance allowance. He requests an assessment of the contract for these individuals.

Question

Will you look at the contract for those who are elderly and in receipt of certain benefits? There are significant challenges for this group, including unmet needs due to dental care limitations.

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We are looking at the contract with the BDA and I am more than happy to look into the issue raised by the hon. Gentleman.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment or timeline not provided

How: Looking At, Happy To Look

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Q4 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
NHS Wales
Context

The MP references the Secretary of State for Wales' statement at a Labour party conference, suggesting that Wales could serve as a blueprint for NHS dentistry reforms. He notes that less than 60% of dentistry courses are being completed in Wales compared to pre-pandemic figures.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Secretary of State for Wales is right and that Wales is a blueprint for what a Labour Government will do in England, or will they drop the bluster, get serious and commit to the dental reforms set out in the dental recovery plan?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

I find it extraordinary that yet again we see a total lack of humility and contrition from the Opposition. We now have some grown-ups in charge in Westminster, who will work with colleagues in Cardiff Bay to ensure that a rising tide lifts all boats and improve NHS dentistry across the UK.

Not addressed: No acknowledgment or commitment to dental reforms

How: Lack Of Humility, Grown-Ups In Charge

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