Noel’s Political Update: dentistry left behind again
- LASC LDC
- Mar 21
- 2 min read
I’m sure we have all seen and digested the news regarding GPs.
A new contract with additional funding. Sure, we know it's not enough and does not fix a broken medical model, but just let it sink in, additional funding. How would we all feel if we in dentistry got the same treatment? It would not fix a broken contractual system but the hope additional funding would give?! The morale boost that they have a plan and wish to save NHS dentistry. But alas, there is no additional funding for us. The extra urgent care appointments the government is promising to deliver must be found within the same budgetary envelope, or in English be found from yet again recycling the same old money:
Again – let it sink in. No new money for NHS dentistry. Make no mistakes, the government can find new money for other initiatives and ideas, even within the NHS as shown with the GPs, yet there is no new money for NHS dentistry. We are still operating on the same budget as we had in 2010 (approx. £3.2 billion including the patient charge revenue – or tooth tax if you will). Over 15 years and no changes to the total budget, all whilst we have had (and still continue to have) inflation and population growth, increases in taxes via. national insurance and other staffing challenges.
Where is the vision or hope that this new government promised before the election - My plan for change – The Labour Party?
It shows what those centrally feel about NHS dentistry when you look at their actions and “announcements”. The woeful target of creating just 700,000 additional urgent appointments will make no difference to the millions upon millions of people who cannot access NHS dental care. However, sulking and complaining to my nursing staff isn’t going to help. Instead, let's try to be proactive and take our issues directly to the government and our local MPs. In the past we as an LDC have met with multiple local MPs and we continue to contact them about these issues.
We have also contacted the minister for Dentistry, Stephen Kinnock, to highlight our ever-growing concerns for the longevity of NHS dentistry, and we actively support the BDA with their lobbying, but please don’t leave it up to us. If you want to see change to your NHS dental service please contact your local MP and let them know your feelings!
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