Politics

MPs to examine struggle to access NHS dentistry

The Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into dentistry following a survey that showed 90 per cent of practices across the UK were not accepting new adult NHS patients.

Autumn Budget 2022: how does it impact dentists?

Richard Lishman diagnoses the consequences for the profession.

MP calls on the government to listen to tobacco retailers

An All Party Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health heard on November 1, 2022, the results of a survey showing that the majority of tobacco retailers support existing tobacco laws and also tougher...

Cross-party debate calls for action to save NHS dentistry

Judith Cummins MP, led a cross-party debate in the Commons, calling on the government to take urgent steps to deal with the crisis in NHS dentistry before it is too late. 

Prime minister questioned on the future of NHS dentistry

In his first prime minister’s questions, Rishi Sunak was asked what lies ahead for NHS dentistry.

MPs seek an action plan for the future of NHS dentistry

The British Dental Association (BDA) greeted the show of unity from MPs on October 20, 2022, regarding fixing the NHS dental service but lamented the government’s failure to commit to reforms.

Chancellor warned further cuts will kill NHS dentistry

Following Jeremy Hunt’s emergency statement on the public finances, the British Dental Association (BDA) has warned any further cuts risk destroying any prospect of saving NHS dentistry in England.

Smoking action plan to be dropped?

Government insiders have suggested that the health secretary, Thérése Coffey, plans to break promises to tackle smoking.

Calls for the government to make regulatory reform top priority

The Dental Defence Union (DDU) is calling on the newly appointed health and social care secretary, Thérèse Coffey, to make regulatory reform and support for struggling dental professionals a top...

No return to ‘business as usual’ for Scottish dentists

Dentists have warned that the Scottish government’s last-minute extension of financial support for NHS practices must go hand in hand with reforms to avert a crisis in the service.

NHS dentistry: ministers seek action on reforms

Over 60 cross-party MPs call on the prime minister to act with ‘urgency and ambition’ on access crisis.

Access crisis forces patients to turn to DIY dentistry, reveals new poll

One in five (21 per cent) people who failed to get an NHS dentist appointment in the past year have turned to DIY dentistry, a new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.