Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to NHS Dental Services 2026-07-14

Tuesday 14 July 2026 · 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

  • Minister is taking steps to improve access to NHS dental services by prioritizing those in greatest need and creating an urgent care safety net.
  • Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning dental services, and the government is committed to ensuring patients have access to care even when practices close.
  • A public consultation will be launched soon as part of the government's aim to deliver fundamental reform in NHS dentistry before the end of the current Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sam Rushworth Lab
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about closures of NHS dental practices in his constituency and the overall access to primary care dentistry.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve access to NHS dental services. I thank the Minister for that answer. In my area, NHS dental practices have closed, and another practice has written to patients saying it cannot provide NHS care. While emergency dental treatments are appreciated, primary care dentistry still needs better funding and reform.

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We are improving access with reforms to prioritise those in greatest need, creating an urgent care safety net, and delivering 2.5 million additional treatments. I am happy to meet the MP to discuss further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The commitment to fund NHS dentistry was not explicitly stated.

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Q2 Sam Rushworth Lab
NHS
Context

In the constituency, three NHS dental practices have closed, and only 39% of people can access NHS dentistry within two years. The MP seeks clarity on future plans.

Question

We have had no clarity from the Minister as to the vision for the future. What should people expect? Is it that most people will go private and not be able to access NHS dentistry? Will he or his officials meet me to discuss what we can do to help affected patients?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning dental services. Where practices close, we ensure patients have access to care. We accept that more needs to be done and I am happy to meet the MP to discuss further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The vision for NHS dentistry by 2029-30 was not provided.

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Q3 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about a lack of clarity from the Minister on future plans for NHS dentistry, with only 39% access within two years. The MP seeks a clear vision.

Question

What should people expect in terms of NHS dentistry by 2029-30? We have had no clarity from the Minister as to the vision for the future. What can we expect?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We aim to deliver fundamental reform before the end of this Parliament. It is complex with various contract models, and we need time to get it right. A public consultation will be launched soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific plan for 2029-30 was not detailed.

How: Criticising The Previous Government

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