Residents of Suffolk and Norfolk are facing severe challenges in accessing dental care, leading to distressing reports of individuals experiencing “real pain every day” and resorting to “pulling out their own teeth.” This alarming situation has been brought to light by Mark Jones, co-founder of the campaign group Toothless in Suffolk, and Adrian Ramsay, leader of the Green Party and MP for Waveney Valley. They are urging the government to conduct a thorough review of its NHS dental contract.
According to the British Dental Association, a staggering 97% of new patients are unable to access NHS dental services. In response, Downing Street has stated that “rebuilding NHS dentistry is a priority,” announcing plans to provide an additional 700,000 urgent dental appointments for those in greatest need.
During an appearance on the Wayne Bavin Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Suffolk, Ramsay emphasized the urgent need to address the root causes of the problem. “We know it is particularly bad in Suffolk, Norfolk, and the East of England—my patients frequently tell me it is nearly impossible to secure a dentist appointment,” he said. “The dental contract doesn’t work, and I am committed to pressing the government for a timeline on these essential changes.”
Ramsay further highlighted the plight of local residents, noting, “This is such a pressing issue, and residents in Suffolk are reporting high costs for treatment or enduring pain without proper care. For example, Sarah from Beccles has four dead teeth and suffers daily, while Chris from Laxfield took out a loan for £2,500 to pay for dental treatment.”
Jones, from Felixstowe and also a co-founder of Toothless in England, expressed his willingness to collaborate with policymakers to drive necessary improvements in NHS dental services. “Patients and the oral health of the nation are suffering, and we urgently need action, yet it feels like they are kicking it into the long grass,” he said. “We have been repeatedly told that this is a government priority, but apart from a few statements, nothing substantial has happened. Words alone are meaningless. People are desperate, and in extreme cases, they are pulling out their own teeth.”
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated, “Rebuilding NHS dentistry is a priority for this government. We will reform the dental contract to encourage more dentists to offer NHS services. Additionally, we will introduce supervised tooth brushing for children aged three to five, as prevention is better than cure.”
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