Thank you for contacting me about access to NHS dental services.
Everyone should be able to see an NHS dentist and be able to receive treatment quickly and easily when they need it. That is why improving access to NHS dentistry is one of the Government's key priorities for the health service.
Dental services in many parts of England have been recovering, and more urgent treatments were delivered in 2022/23 compared to the previous year. However, I really do appreciate that much more progress needs to be made.
Backed by £200 million of funding, the Government’s Dental Recovery Plan will deliver 2.5 million extra appointments in England over the next year where they are needed most. New dental vans will be launched to improve access to NHS dentists in coastal and rural areas. Dentists will be given a greater incentive to work in underserved areas with a one-off payment of £20,000.
I fully understand your frustration about dental practices in Beverley and Holderness not accepting NHS patients. In March 2024, the Government introduced a new patient premium to encourage dental practices to take on new NHS patients. The new patient premium will mean that participating NHS practices can benefit from payments of either £50 or £15, depending on care, for each new patient treated. This will apply for any patient who has not seen an NHS dentist over the past 2 years.
The Government also recognises the urgency to increase dental appointments for children. Some progress has been made, with 800,000 more dental appointments in 2022/23 compared to the previous year. However, there is much more to be done, which is why the Smile for Life Programme is being launched to offer advice to parents about encouraging tooth brushing and avoiding tooth decay in children.
I also recognise that increasing the number of NHS dentists is crucial to recovering NHS dental services in England. Last year, the Government took action to reduce barriers to overseas dentists being able to register and work in the NHS. As part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, the number of dental training places will increase to over 1,100 by 2031/32.
Improving access to NHS dentistry across England will take time, but I am confident that these measures will help deliver extra NHS dental appointments where they are needed most, including in the East Riding.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards,
Graham
