700,000 reasons to smile: Labour’s extra urgent dental appointments
Like so many residents in Blackpool, I’ve faced the frustrating reality of struggling to access NHS dental care. It’s been years of trying and failing to get an appointment, and sadly, I’m far from alone.
Blackpool, like many other areas across the country, is known as a “dental desert,” where NHS dental services have all but disappeared. In 2023, only 38% of children in Blackpool were seen by a dentist – a sharp decline from 57% just seven years ago. Even more concerning is the fact that only 36% of adults in Blackpool received dental care, well below the national average of 54%.
The scale of the dental crisis in Blackpool is truly alarming. Tooth decay has become the leading cause of NHS hospital admissions for children aged 5-17 in England. Last year, over 30,000 children and more than 70,000 adults were admitted to A&E due to preventable dental conditions. These numbers aren’t just statistics – they reflect the lived experience of thousands of people in Blackpool who are being let down by a failing NHS dental system.
In Blackpool, there are 12 private dental practices that hold NHS contracts, but none are currently accepting new adult NHS patients. As a result, people in our community are forced to either go without care or pay for private treatment, which most cannot afford. I’ve spoken to local dentists like Nick Cheatle at King Street Dentist, who have shared their concerns about the situation. Despite their best efforts, private practices cannot fill the gap left by the government’s failure to invest in NHS dentistry.
This lack of access to care is the result of years of underinvestment and failure to reform NHS dental services. NHS dentistry has been neglected by the Conservative government for over a decade, with millions of people across the country unable to access essential care. The previous government’s so-called New Patient Premium scheme, which aimed to tackle the crisis, has had little impact, with £88 million being wasted. Prior to the general election I raised my concerns in the House of Commons with the Conservative leadership.
But there is good news on the horizon. The Labour government is taking decisive action to address the dental crisis that has left so many people in Blackpool and across the country without access to the care they need. Labour has pledged to deliver 700,000 additional urgent dental care appointments across the country, and in Lancashire and South Cumbria, 20,822 urgent care appointments will be made available. This is a significant step forward, offering hope to people who have been waiting far too long for treatment.
These additional appointments will go a long way in reducing waiting times and ensuring that urgent care is available to those who need it most. But this is just the beginning. The Labour government is committed to a long-term plan to rebuild NHS dentistry and ensure that everyone in the UK has access to high-quality dental care, regardless of their income or where they live.
Labour’s plan to reform NHS dentistry includes a focus on prevention, which is key to reducing the burden on hospitals and improving public health. The government will invest in initiatives to reduce the need for emergency dental care, helping people maintain good oral health and avoid costly treatments in the future. Labour will also work to retain and recruit more NHS dentists, ensuring that practices in Blackpool and other dental deserts can serve their communities effectively. This will involve making NHS dentistry a more attractive career option for dentists, with better pay, support, and working conditions.
We also need to address the broader issue of NHS funding. Under the Conservative government, NHS dental services have been chronically underfunded. Labour is committed to increasing investment in NHS dentistry, ensuring that practices have the resources they need to meet the demand for care. This will help improve access to services for everyone, particularly in areas like Blackpool where the need is greatest.
As your MP, I’ve been advocating for better dental care for Blackpool, and I will continue to fight for the resources and support our community needs. The delivery of these additional 700,000 urgent care appointments is a critical first step, but there is much more to be done. It is time to rebuild NHS dentistry and create a system that works for everyone, not just those who can afford to pay for private care.
The Labour government is committed to fixing the broken system left behind by the previous Conservative administration. By increasing the number of appointments, focusing on prevention, and investing in the workforce, we can start to rebuild NHS dentistry and ensure that no one is left behind.
This is a critical moment for NHS dentistry in Blackpool and across the country. We’ve heard the voices of residents who have been waiting too long for care, and we’re taking action. While the journey to fix NHS dentistry will take time, the delivery of these urgent appointments is a significant step in the right direction.
We’re on the right path, and together, we’ll rebuild NHS dentistry for the future and build a healthier, better Blackpool.
