Dr Andrew Murrison has written to Neil O’Brien MP, health minister responsible for dentistry, following his visit to a dental practice in his constituency on Friday and receipt of correspondence from across his South West Wiltshire constituency who have been unable to get an NHS dentist. Andrew is concerned about access to NHS dentistry in his constituency and the disincentivising caused by the way dentists have been remunerated since 2006 under a system called units of dental activity (UDAs). The current government have recognised the issue and are trying to reform UDAs to make NHS dentistry more attractive to dental surgeons. However, Andrew is concerned at the pace at which change is happening and has urged Mr O’Brien to redouble his efforts to ensure those in greatest dental need are able to find an NHS dentist.
Dr Murrison is also interested in how we can increase the number of dental surgeons in the system, noting the increase of the number of dental graduates in recent years. He has also asked the minister if dental nurses, hygienists and therapists can be trained and empowered to undertake more of the routine work currently undertaken by dental surgeons.
He said ‘NHS dentistry has been in long-term decline, and we now need to ensure, particularly for those in highest dental need, that provision is improved, and that the NHS is an attractive place to work for all members of the dental professional team. I appreciate the work the government is currently undertaking to deal with the consequences of the previous government’s changes to dentistry but believe there is more to be done to restore NHS dentistry to where it ought to be.’