Constituents write, almost weekly, concerned with the lack of available NHS Dentists locally. They understand the severe pressures on the NHS and, in particular, the dental sector. Like me, they share in deep concern for the time it is taking to recover since the Covid-19 Pandemic severely affected the capacity and provision of NHS dental care locally and nationally.
I continue to actively press to restore vital levels and provisions of service.
I was pleased to meet with representatives from the British Dental Association. Warm words were shared about our united campaign to address the shortage.
We discussed how the dental contract provisions continue to be ineffective and unfair to many dentists and how we might work together to make clear the areas of concern and possible solutions to the Government and NHS bosses.
I am grateful to our local Dentists and practises. They are aware of the issues and already work really hard and intensively to do what they can. For many, it is almost impossible.
Last year, I wrote to each local Dentist in Worthing and Arun. Many wrote back sharing their urgent concerns. I put many of the views shared to the BDA who will take these forward on our behalf during their own campaigning and communications with the Government. We all know that patients are suffering. The more we work together, cross-party, the better the result.
Let us try and bring everyone together with the necessary urgent approach so that we can expect significant improvement to the present severe concerns.
