Politics

£750m NHS dental rescue package proposed

The Liberal Democrats announced on June 21 a £750m a year dental rescue plan to offer more appointments and free check-ups for children in an effort to combat the growing crisis in NHS dentistry.

Northern Ireland releases report into the state of dentistry

The Health and Social Care’s Business Services Organisation (BSO) published its Family Practitioner Services General Dental Statistics for Northern Ireland 2023/24 on June 20, 2024.

Dentistry in Northern Ireland is ‘a shadow of its former self’

The British Dental Association (BDA) has warned that data released in June 2024 confirms the Health Service dentistry in Northern Ireland remains on the brink. The association said the service...

100,000 extra dental appointments for children promised

The Labour Party has pledged to tackle the crisis in children’s dentistry by providing extra appointments.

A third of voters say dentistry is a top concern for the general election

The British Dental Association (BDA) has said NHS dentistry is now at the forefront of voter concerns for the General Election. It says voters are calling for a plan to save the service.

Poll shows every parliamentary constituency backs phasing out tobacco

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has published a modelling analysis by YouGov, which demonstrated majority support for phasing out the sale of tobacco in every constituency in England, Scotland and...

Welsh politicians call for an end to the dental ‘drought’

The lack of available services, especially in rural areas, has resulted in Wales being labelled a “dental desert”. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the government to improve access.

Plan to ‘end dental deserts’ as 4.5m children didn’t see an NHS dentist last year

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has announced a plan to “end dental deserts,” including an emergency scheme to guarantee children and young mothers free dental checkups on the NHS.

New dentists required to deliver NHS care under government plans

Newly qualified dentists could be required to deliver NHS care for several years after they graduate under a government consultation launched on May 23, 2024.

Northern Ireland takes steps towards a smoke-free generation

Robin Swann, the health minister for Northern Ireland, has welcomed the passing of a motion to include Northern Ireland in the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

‘Dentistry is not fixed yet’, MP says

John Penrose, minister for Weston-super-mare, has asked the prime minister when more NHS dental appointments would be available for patients.

Access to dentistry ‘remains a challenge’ in Lincolnshire

County councillors have been told that, at the end of 2023, just 25 per cent of people in Lincolnshire had access to an NHS dentist.