Over quarter of a million call on PM to 'save NHS dentistry'
Dentists, a patient, and MPs are heading to Downing Street today to deliver a petition
Last updated 7th Jan 2025
A petition co-signed by over 250,000 supporters is being delivered to Downing Street today, as the British Dental Association (BDA) call on the Government to honour pledges to save NHS dentistry.
The professional body has warned the service is now in a more fragile state than it was at the time of the July election.
The BDA say the Budget has added significant new costs to struggling practices while providing no corresponding support, and pay uplifts for the 2024/25 financial year are now running 8 months late – a record breaking delay.
While it has welcomed the tone set by the new Government, sixth months on it stresses that urgency and ambition are required to save the service.
Tony Page, from Folkestone, was saved by a routine NHS check-up.
The 73-year-old was referred to hospital in 2014 after his dentist spotted an abnormality in his mouth.
Within six weeks cancerous parts of his tongue and jaw had been removed.
ONS data in December showing 94% of new patients who attempted to secure NHS care were unsuccessful.
Lord Darzi’s recent independent review of the NHS echoed the position of the Health Select Committee in two dedicated inquiries, the Nuffield Trust and the dental profession itself, observing: “If dentistry is to continue as a core NHS service, urgent action is needed to develop a contract that balances activity and prevention, is attractive to dentists and rewards those dentists who practice in less served areas.”
There has yet to be rollout on pledges to provide 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments, and supervised brushing programmes in early years settings.
The petition demands urgent action to properly fund NHS dentistry and overhaul the system that the BDA say is 'driving dentists out of the NHS.'
It states: “Our new Prime Minister Keir Starmer ran for office promising to tackle this crisis, and reform the dental contract to rebuild NHS dentistry for the long term. Join me, The British Dental Association and The Mirror in telling him he needs to act urgently and deliver on this promise without delay.
Millions of people who need an NHS dentist can’t afford to wait any longer”.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said:
“The public and this profession have a simple message for the PM.
“The clock is ticking on NHS dentistry and this Government must make good on its promises
“If reform is kicked into the long grass there won’t be a service left to save.”
The petition is being delivered by former NHS high street dentist and petition starter Tom Thayer, alongside Tony, and BDA Chair Eddie Crouch.
They will be joined by MPs Yasmin Qureshi, Adrian Ramsay, Ian Roome and Dr Simon Opher, alongside representatives from 38 Degrees and The Women’s Institute.