We pressed ahead at both Government and Opposition annual conferences, to spell out the facts on the state of NHS dentistry.
Over half of the MPs elected in July are new to office, and as we heard from dozens of conversations access problems are already filtering through to constituency meetings, inboxes and postbags. We came armed with local facts and figures, and spelled out how a failed contract has fuelled the crisis facing millions.
At the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton, we were encouraged by the willingness among newly elected MPs to hold the new administration to account on its pledges. As their Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper noted “Government cannot waste any time in gripping this emergency and rescuing NHS dentistry.”
Indeed, we secured welcome pledges to push this issue both in debates and behind the scenes, to ask uncomfortable questions and pester the new Health Secretary and Minister until this issue is resolved.
Heading north, to Labour Conference in Liverpool, Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock lambasted the “Dickensian” stories dentistry has seen since lockdown.
Joining us and our campaign partners the Daily Mirror for a panel event, he described the state of the service as the most shocking thing he has discovered since “looking under the bonnet” after taking office.
We stressed the reality. That over 13 million adults cannot access NHS care, and any progress hinges on real reform.
Kinnock described closing the oral health gap – particularly where children are concerned – as a “moral crusade” for the new Government.
We can only welcome the tone, but we remain clear that it will take deeds not words to end this crisis. We started a petition earlier in the year to the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to save NHS dentistry. It is now addressed to his successor, and our argument is unchanged.
The BDA is non-partisan, but we are avowedly political. And we will work with those on left, right or centre to secure a better deal for our members and the millions they treat.
