House of Commons · Westminster Hall
01 April 2025 · 12 other contributors · 4,938 words
Opened by Anna Sabine Lib Dem Frome and East Somerset
Responding minister: Stephen Kinnock
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Anna Sabine raised concerns about access to dentistry: somerset in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The government should urgently address the investment and resource allocation issues affecting NHS dentistry in Somerset and the wider south-west region to improve access for both adults and children.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The south-west of England has the worst access problems for NHS dentists, with only 32% of adults in Somerset seeing an NHS dentist within two years, compared to the national average of 40%. Furthermore, only 42% of children were seen by a dentist in Somerset, well below the national average. The region also sees a high number of dental-related A&E visits.
The 700,000 new urgent dental appointments cover only a third of the need for urgent care and are funded by recycling underspends. New money is needed to invest in NHS dentistry.
Asked if discussions with the British Dental Association were underway, noting agreement on the contract's flaws and urging urgent amendments.
Families often have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for a child's dental visit, highlighting the reality of the dental desert through research in Taunton and Wellington.
The previous Government's efforts to tackle the dental access issue were insufficient, and a rapid renegotiation of the dental contract is needed for an improvement in rural areas.
Commends Anna Sabine for bringing attention to the issue of NHS dental service accessibility and highlights concerns over pensioners carrying out their own 'barbaric dentistry' due to unaffordability.
Welcomed Government action but highlighted that only two dental practices accept adult patients in her constituency, calling on the Minister to set out how plans will support constituents' access to dental care.
Minehead has one of the smallest numbers of dentists in the country, presenting unique challenges due to its rural and coastal nature. The dental desert is acutely felt there. Called for a letter to Somerset ICB on behalf of constituents missing out on 48 NHS appointments per month offered by a dental surgery.
The hon. Member noted that dental-related A&E visits are higher in the south-west than any other region, highlighting the detrimental effect poor access to dentistry has on hospitals and emergency services. Questioned whether monitoring of ICBs would continue, suggesting that ringfencing addresses symptoms rather than causes of the problem and advocating for a contract overhaul.
Asked if dental hygienists from Bridgwater & Taunton College could train there and provide a service to the whole of Somerset, welcoming the idea for more dentistry skills in the area. Inquired about expediting exams for Ukrainian dentists to allow them to practise in the country more quickly. Asked the Minister to reply to his suggestion that students from the University of Bristol Dental Hospital do some part of their training in Somerset.
Points out that delays in funding for a new dental school at the University of East Anglia is frustrating and detrimental given the current crisis in dental services.
Responded positively to Sir Ashley Fox's idea and suggested writing to him for more details on implementing the suggestion.
Proposes utilising other professionals within the dental profession, such as dental therapists and hygienists, to better manage capacity and provide more timely care.
Government Response
Stephen KinnockThe Minister for Care
Acknowledged the challenges Somerset faces in accessing NHS dentistry, with only 31% of adults and 42% of children seen by an NHS dentist compared to national averages. The region has a workforce shortage, with 29% vacancy rate for NHS general dentists, highest among English regions. Measures are being taken to accelerate the roll-out of new appointments. From today, 1 April 2025, the public will see 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments being delivered every year. Somerset ICB has been asked to deliver 13,498 of those appointments. The Government has invested £11.4 million in a national supervised toothbrushing programme for three to five-year-olds that will reach up to 600,000 children annually. In Somerset, £50,000 is allocated to support around 2,000 children. The golden hello scheme has led to seven new dentists on the ground in the south-west and a further six recruited. Sixty-four live adverts across the region are expected to grow the number of dentists. The ICB is committed to delivering additional urgent dental appointments and increasing access for residents facing health inequalities.