Steve Brine, new MP for Winchester & Chandler's Ford, has backed a call for better oral health this week.
Attending a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dentistry at Parliament, he lent his support to the group as it aims to increase awareness of oral health issues.
The meeting highlighted the current state of the nation’s dental health, emphasising the value of preventive care and the role patients and dental professionals play in its improvement. It also explored issues including the increasing number of cases of mouth cancer in the UK and the inequalities that mean children as young as five-years-old are undergoing multiple extractions because of the tooth decay they suffer.
Steve Brine said; “I recently opened the brand new Winchester Orthodontic Centre which is making a tremendous difference to the people I represent but the campaign for better access to NHS dentistry across Hampshire presses ahead. It is well recognised that good oral health is an indicator of good general health and if we get it right we minimise the impact on other parts of the NHS such as A&E where too many dental emergencies currently end up. To maintain good oral health it is important that everybody has the opportunity to access a dentist, brushes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and appreciates the role of good diet in maintaining oral health. I’m delighted to lend my support to the campaign among MP’s to improve the oral health of the nation.”
Pictured; Steve has a (rather large) brush with the jaw