Steve Brine has spoken of the challenge Ministers face when it comes to access to NHS dentistry in a speech in the House of Commons.
The MP, who chairs the Health Select Committee, says he is doing his utmost to press Ministers for a comprehensive and sustainable response to a landmark report they published last year setting out what the Government should do to revive the service. That report was described by the British Dental Association as an “instruction manual to save NHS dentistry” and Ministers responded to it just before Christmas.
Steve says; “My committee concluded that NHS dentistry is facing a crisis of access, resulting in a worrying decline in oral health and it challenged the new Secretary of State to set out how she intends to realise the laudable ambition that everyone who needs one should have access to an NHS dentist.
“I have spoken on the subject many times in Parliament but this was a high-profile debate at the start of the new year and I didn’t pull my punches.”
On the contract dentists have with the NHS, which many say are critical to why so many are leaving, Mr Brine recognised that the Government has taken action but said, while some initial changes were made in 2022, further fundamental reform is needed that represents a move away from the current system known as ‘Units of Dental Activity’ in favour of a contract which provides financial incentives for seeing new patients and those with greater dental need. “It needs to prioritise prevention and person-centred care”, was his message.
He added; “Contract reform alone is unlikely to bring back dentists who have already left the NHS or are considering leaving. We must urgently provide compelling incentives to attract new and existing dentists to undertake NHS work. And we must see the long-promised ‘Dental recovery plan’ which includes a short-term set of actions to help those suffering real pain today and a fully funded plan that brings NHS dentistry back from the edge.”
Next week Steve will be continuing the focus on NHS dentistry as he hosts the former Chief Dental Officer for England, Sara Hurley, on his podcast ‘Prevention is the new cure’.
More information
Pictured: Steve Brine MP on his feet in the House of Commons
Steve’s speech is available via SBTV
Read the full debate via Hansard
Health and Social Care Select Committee’s NHS Dentistry inquiry
