Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, according to the British Dental Association, “is seeing what life is like for millions” after touring a dentist office that isn’t accepting new NHS customers.
The prime minister spent Thursday morning with employees and clients at Gentle Dental in Newquay.
He cautioned that “it hasn’t been easy enough for people to access NHS dentistry over the past couple of years” yet stated “the announcements this week will make a significant difference, and quickly” .
“It’s a very significant new investment in dentistry so that everyone can get the access that they need,” Mr. Sunak stated.
However, the practice’s website indicates that neither new adult NHS patients nor those eligible for free dental care are accepted.
The British Dental Association (BDA) chair, Eddie Crouch, stated: “Rishi Sunak is witnessing what life is like for millions of people in this country.” The distinction is that he has choices.”
Mr. Sunak’s “dental recovery plan” has drawn criticism from the BDA, which claims it is “not new money” and “unworthy of the title”.
In the £200 million package of initiatives that were presented on Wednesday, dentists would receive £20,000 in “golden hellos” to operate in underserved communities, as well as cash incentives to take new NHS patients.
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Additionally, 165,000 kids will receive prophylactic fluoride varnish treatments in schools located in underprivileged neighborhoods, strengthening their teeth and preventing decay. These treatments will be provided by mobile dental teams.
Notably, however, is that the recovery package will not be sufficient to assist those who are having difficulty accessing dental treatment.
