The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) has welcomed the Health Select Committee inquiry starting March 21, 2023, into NHS dentistry as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a sustainable future for NHS dental services.
With access to NHS dentistry now one of the top issues in MP’s constituency postbags, the inquiry provides the opportunity for politicians on a cross-party basis to map out a future for NHS dentistry which will improve access.
Neil Carmichael, chair of the ADG said, “Access to dentistry is going to be right at the top of the political agenda at the next General Election. Dental deserts stretch across the whole of the East of England from East Yorkshire, through Lincolnshire and down to Norfolk but have now emerged in many of the ‘red wall’ constituencies that that will form the battleground of the next election.”
“The Health and Social Care Select Committee is asking the two key questions – does the NHS dental contract need further reform, and what can be done to recruit and retain dental professionals. We hope that their cross-party work can provide sustainable solutions which will inform the manifestos of all political parties as we anticipate an election in 2024.”