Data shows Suffolk's among worst in the country for availability of NHS dentist appointments
The Green Party wants a new approach, starting with new contracts for NHS dentists
The co-leader of the Green Party says real action is needed to protect and restore dentistry in Suffolk.
Adrian Ramsay, who's also Green Party MP candidate the Waveney Valley constituency, says the party's calling for a new approach, starting with new contracts for NHS dentists that cover the costs of care.
Just a week ago the Conservative government announced a new plan to try and tackle the dental crisis.
The new plans will be supported by £200m of government funding and include a 'new-patient payment' where NHS dentists will receive between £15-£50 (depending on treatment need) to treat around a million new patients who have not seen an NHS dentist in two years or more.
This plan could see up to 2.5 million additional NHS dental appointments delivered for patients over the next 12 months, including up to 1.5 million extra treatments being delivered with a focus on prevention and good oral health in young children and delivering an expanded dental workforce.
However, for many, the announcement has not put their worries at ease.
Toothless in England, which originated in Suffolk, is continuing to campaign for more accessible services for everyone and to get contracts for NHS dentists that cover their costs.
Adriane Ramsay is now working alongside them.
He says he's also decided to survey "all 42,000 households in the Waveney Valley constituency" hoping to identify the "worst spots in the dental and GP deserts of Norfolk and Suffolk."
He told us he is hoping to use the data he collects from his surveys to help "fight for better dental care and GP services."
Worst in the country
The latest annual survey by the NHS showed that Norfolk and the Waveney area was the worst in the country for availability of NHS appointments, with one in three people failing to get an appointment in the past two years.
He revealed that residents in the area have shared some "horrifying" stories with him, recalling one man who travelled "200 miles to access an NHS dentist", and others paying for private care.
But more worrying for Adrian is that "some people don't have the option to do either of those things" and subsequently are going without treatment.
He says this is causing additional problems for "people's physical health and their mental health."
What does Labour say?
Jess Asato, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Lowestoft, said:
“I have been so shocked to hear from people in Lowestoft about their troubles getting a dentist appointment - some have resorted to pulling their teeth out themselves. 14 years of Conservative neglect have led to tooth decay being the number one reason 6-10 year olds are admitted to hospital.
“The next Labour government will fund a national urgent access scheme so more people can get dentist appointments immediately. Labour will also fund a targeted recruitment scheme for dentists and reform the outdated contract dentists have so staff can be retained and patients get the long-term care they need.”
Whilst the conservative members comment "the Government’s NHS Dental Recovery Plan, that was announced last week provides the foundations on which to rebuild NHS Dentistry. This now needs to be followed up with a new NHS Dentistry Contract."