The NHS’ plan to integrate dentistry within local care has been endorsed by Suffolk MP and former health secretary Therese Coffey.
Commenting to the East Anglian Times, Therese said, “Putting dentistry into the hands of the local NHS is the best way to tailor what is needed.
“The government has invested in dentistry and will continue to do so, including strengthening the contract with dentists.
“However, I also think that putting dentistry into the hands of the local NHS is the best way to tailor what is needed.
“Just as happens to recruit more GPs to rural areas, a package of financial support delivered locally could also incentivise dentists to either relocate or to extend existing provision, boosting capacity in Suffolk.
“We’ve already seen the local NHS working very closely with the University of Suffolk with the formation of the centre for dental development in Ipswich.
“Not only providing treatment on the NHS but designed to attract and train newly qualified dentists to increase the supply of dentists right across the county."
Toothless in England, a group campaigning to improve dental access, said, “While ICB’s will be waking up to an increase in their budget and additional responsibilities, patients across the land will have suffered another restless night of dental pain all because there’s no NHS provision within easy reach.
“Only a small number of ICB’s around the country recognise there is room for them to innovate when it comes to delivering NHS dentistry.
“However, we believe this will only go to further deepen the postcode lottery when it comes to accessing an NHS dentist and it certainly won't fix the problem anytime soon.”