STEPHEN KINNOCK: ‘NHS dentistry sufferers compelled to endure in silence or flip to DIY in desperation’
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock writes for The Mirror on ‘landmark reforms that will transform NHS dentistry – the most significant modernisation of the NHS dental contract in years’
NHS dentistry has suffered over a decade of decay and decline. For too long, patients have been left unable to get the care they need, forced to suffer in silence or turn to DIY dentistry in desperation.
We’re grateful to the Mirror’s Dentists for All campaign for shining a spotlight on this crisis. You’ve championed patients who’ve been let down by the system, and this government has listened.
We are working hard to fix it, rolling out thousands more urgent and emergency care appointments across the country and our supervised toothbrushing programme for young kids in the most deprived areas.
But we know there’s something far deeper to mend at the heart of NHS dentistry. That’s why today we’re announcing landmark reforms that will transform NHS dentistry – the most significant modernisation of the NHS dental contract in years.
These changes will prioritise those with the greatest need. We’re starting by making all NHS dental practices deliver urgent appointments -increasing the amount they are paid for this from around £40 to £75 representing an 80% uplift – while making it easier for patients to get care when they need it most.
Patients with gum disease, tooth decay or other major dental conditions will be better able to get long-term treatment on the NHS, not just emergency patch-ups. Patients could save around £225 while dentists will be paid £250 or £700 depending on the course of treatment.
We’re incentivising NHS dentists to take on this work, pa– and we’re making sure they feel like a valued part of the NHS, with opportunities for learning and development so they can improve their skills to benefit patients.
We’re also giving dental nurses more opportunities to deliver services to maintain and protect children’s teeth. We’re putting the days of pliers and suffering in silence behind us, making sure the NHS is there for all when they need it. As we rebuild NHS dentistry, we’ll ease pressures on A&Es, preventing issues from spiralling and placing patients at the forefront. This government is bringing dentistry into a new era, fundamentally fixing it so you get the care and treatment you need by a workforce that is properly valued
