STEPHEN KINNOCK: ‘Desperate individuals are pulling out their enamel – DIY dentistry results in worse’
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock writes for The Mirror about the crisis in NHS Dentistry – and what action the Government is taking to try to tackle it urgently
The Mirror is campaigning for everyone to have access to an NHS dentist(Image: Getty)
Lack of access to dental care, a decades old problem, has driven many to attempt their own remedies at home.
For too long we’ve heard of people performing dental surgery on themselves or pulling out their own teeth – often leading to worse medical problems.
We pledged to deliver 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments to tackle this issue head on and Integrated Care Boards have been getting on with commissioning these.
However, many patients are still falling through the gaps, with some still taking matters into their own hands because of the narrow, clinical definition of ‘urgent’.
READ MORE: Major dentists update as thousands of patients to get access to new appointments
Issues that we would consider urgent, such as infections or rotting teeth – do not fall under the clinical definition of ‘urgent’. This is unacceptable – in this day and age no-one should be suffering with rotting teeth or tooth decay, unable to access an appointment.
And no-one should be doing DIY dentistry. The Chief Dental Officer has written to the Secretary of State highlighting this issue and recommending that we broaden the scope of these extra dental appointments.
That’s exactly what we’re doing so more patients can access the dental care they need.
From today the scope of the target will no longer be limited in focus by a narrow clinical definition – it will instead include all dental appointments.
We’re rebuilding NHS dentistry by delivering a huge increase in the number of treatments – up by a massive 1.8 million between April and October 2025.
If this trend continues for the rest of the year, then we are on course to have delivered around 3.1 million additional treatments by 1 April.
We’re reforming NHS dentistry for the long-term to prioritise those who are most in need, as well as pioneering a supervised toothbrushing programme for 3-5 year olds.
Our priority will always be supporting the vulnerable and those on lower incomes, especially families with young kids, who would rather their hard-earned cash paid for holidays, or school books, than expensive private dental treatment.
We’re transforming NHS dentistry and this essential change today will help make sure everyone up and down the country has access to the treatment they need.
It’s time to end the shocking stories of people pulling out their teeth – the dentist will see you now.
