"We need action to revive NHS dentistry": Union calls for urgent reform
The British Dental Association are asking for fundamental change
Dentists are calling on the government to drastically reform how NHS dentistry is funded.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has told Greatest Hits Radio that NHS services have been in decline for a decade and urgent action is needed to keep it afloat.
The union claim around 13 million people in England are without access to treatment, or 1 in 4 adults.
The calls come as Saint Pauls Dental in Bristol mark one year since the practice opened to hundreds queuing around the block, hoping to register.
Staff at the centre say demand for affordable care is only increasing, with people forced to travel hundreds of miles for an appointment or resorting to treating themselves at home.
"We could create an NHS dental service where patients weren't going to hospital, weren't queuing around the corner, weren't in pain, weren't missing work or school - it's completely avoidable," said Shawn Charlwood, chair of the BDA.
The union say fundamental reform and sustainable funding is needed to make it possible for dentists to keep providing an NHS service, with centres unable to finance the treatment under the current model.
The closure of NHS services has lead to "dental deserts" across the country.
"People in all areas of England at the moment are struggling to access NHS dentistry," said Shawn.
"In every town, every village, every city - patients will say they're struggling to access NHS care. People have described it as Dickensian.
"The number one reason for children being admitted to hospital is for tooth extractions.
"That cannot be right it's a completely preventable disease and all it needs is for children to be able access NHS dentistry.
"The Health Secretary Wes Streeting was very supportive of NHS dentistry and he said that the service is at death's door.
"What we need now is action capable of reviving NHS dentistry - not just words. We need action," he added.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“This government is committed to rebuilding dentistry, but it will take time.
“We are starting with an extra 700,000 urgent dentistry appointments to help those who need it most and will reform the dental contract to encourage more dentists to offer NHS services to patients.
“We will also introduce supervised tooth brushing for three-to-five year-olds in the most deprived communities.”