Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to NHS Dental Services

Tuesday 25 March 2025 · 3 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

  • The Minister implemented a golden hello scheme offering a 20,000 joining bonus to attract 240 dentists to work in underserved areas.
  • Before instructing the Office for Students to allocate new dental training places in the east of England for 2026, the government needs clarity on its financial envelope post-comprehensive spending review in June.
  • Discussions have occurred between the Minister and the Education Secretary on ensuring capacity in teaching and training in dentistry, but more specific details will be available after the comprehensive spending review.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aphra Brandreth Con Chester South and Eddisbury
NHS Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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.

Question

Given the challenges of rural access, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that NHS dental provision is available in those rural communities?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for rural communities were not addressed beyond mentioning golden hello scheme and ongoing negotiations.

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Q2 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Education
Context

There is an urgent need for dental training capacity in Norfolk, where new dental training places are required to start in 2026.

Question

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?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment without specific timeline or certainty due to pending comprehensive spending review.

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Education
Context

Many young people are deterred from studying dentistry due to high costs associated with the course.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Education Secretary on providing more financial support to young students who want to study dentistry?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to discuss later without immediate concrete financial support measures.

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