Jess began by explaining research from 2022, which “found that not a single dental practice in Suffolk was taking on new NHS patients.”
Over the previous 18 months, the Labour MP had sought the opinions of constituents to uncover the major issues they were facing. While canvassing, she encountered a man who had “pulled his tooth out with a pair of pliers in his garden shed” because he was “so fed up with the pain” and had “no obvious remedy in sight”.
In July 2024, Wes Streeting reiterated his commitment to improving access to NHS dentistry. Wes stated he had already begun discussing contract reforms and providing additional emergency appointments.
Jess welcomed the improvements, calling them “a huge relief” for residents. She hoped that “incentives for dentists will be crucial to attracting them to work in dental deserts such as mine.”
To improve children’s oral health locally, Jess pledged to implement supervised toothbrushing in schools.