TIME TO "FILL THE GAP" IN NHS DENTISTRY

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 17th Sep 2007

Local MP and Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Sandra Gidley today called for check-ups at NHS dentists to be free to allow dentists to properly promote preventive oral healthcare.

Speaking at the Liberal Democrat party conference Sandra said,

"Eight years after Labour promised that everyone would have access to an NHS dentist, the system is in crisis.

"Fewer than half the adults in the country have access to an NHS dentist, it is time that this gap in NHS dentistry was addressed-even Gordon Brown had to go private.

"NHS dentistry is in crisis; in Hampshire the situation is looking very grim with few able to get an NHS dentist. My postbag has been filled to the brim with constituents' concerns over their struggle to find an NHS dentist

"Government reforms have failed to improve access to NHS dentists or raise the quality of dental care provided. Only a third of practices across England are taking on new NHS patients, but the situation in Hampshire is much worse than that with only 16% of NHS dentists taking on new patients.

"Our proposals would guarantee a minimum standard of service for every patient, whilst giving dentists incentives to see those people in most need.

"The Government's cavalier attitude to reforming NHS dentistry, ignoring patients and professionals, is sadly typical of their mismanagement of the NHS.