Last Thursday, Richard took part in a general debate on access to NHS dentistry in Westminster Hall. This debate was put forward to the Backbench Business Committee by Peter Aldous MP. Richard's contribution to the debate can be watched here.
Over the course of the pandemic, the British Dental Association have estimated over 38 million dental appointments were missed. Dentists rightly prioritised the safety of their patients and staff, including by introducing infection control measures to reduce the risk of infection from aerosols commonly generated by dental procedures. Although necessary, these measures restricted the number of dentistry appointments that the NHS has been able to offer. The levels of urgent treatment recovered to pre-pandemic levels by December 2020, however, some individuals still require urgent access
In response, the Government recently announced an additional £50 million in funding for dentistry to spend before the end of the financial year to help deal with the backlog. The funding will secure up to 350,000 additional dental appointments for those in most urgent need. This includes people suffering from oral pain, disease and infections. Children will be prioritised, alongside people with learning disabilities, autism or severe mental health problems.
Richard Fuller, Member of Parliament for North East Bedfordshire, said:
During the Covid lockdowns I had conversations with two dentists desperate to start working again knowing that the closedown delays would result in more serious dental problems. They were right and I was moved by their passion for dentistry and the health of their patients.
There are real issues to deal with including enabling proper access to NHS dentists in Bedfordshire and elsewhere, an out of date and poorly constructed NHS contract and the need to shift to preventative dental care.
The government has provided £50million to deal with the backlog of missed dental appointments but we need some sharp thinking now to match the passion shown by dentists during Covid.
The full debate can be read here.
