Extra NHS dental appointments 'desperately needed'
Thousands of extra appointments will be available in the South West from April.
We're hearing extra NHS dental appointments being made available across the South West are 'desperately needed'.
13,900 additional emergency slots will come in from April in Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset whilst there will be 19,076 in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Dan Norris MP for North East Somerset and Hanham has welcomed the Labour Government’s announcement.
He said: "Everyone knows the scale of the challenge facing NHS dentistry.
"In recent years it has become near impossible to get an NHS dental appointment and it is scandalous that the number one reason that five to nine year olds are admitted to hospital is because of tooth decay.
“Of course it cannot be rebuilt overnight, but I am pleased that the Government is taking an important first step."
The extra appointments will be for patients who are likely to be in pain – including those suffering from infections or needing urgent repairs.