Warrington MP Andy Carter debates dentist issues in Parliament

Warrington South MP Andy Carter used a special debate to highlight the issues being faced by constituents in registering with a dentist, with details on NHS websites being incomplete and out of date.

Mr Carter called on NHS England to rapidly improve information online and to focus its activities on recruiting more dentists to work in Warrington.

The MP is also seeking immediate changes to NHS contracts to incentivise dentists to take on more NHS patients, and for the Government to ramp up skills and training in dentistry.

“The presence of an NHS dentist in towns and villages has slowly been eroding, and charges have been in place for NHS dental treatment for some time, with only a limited number of people eligible for free treatment,” he told Parliament.

“The likelihood of being able to find a dentist who will do the work on the NHS is becoming more and more remote.

“The reasons that sit behind these changes and the necessary support needed to improve access to NHS treatment is the issue I want to raise in this debate with the minister.

“Hearing from constituents in Warrington South, reading their letters and trying to help them find a dentist has led me to the conclusion that the system needs radical changes.”

Warrington South MP Andy Carter

NHS Dentists hold a contract to provide NHS services in a local area, however the MP says the outdated formula used to calculate payments is not fit for purpose and does not reward preventative steps.

Instead, it proves advantageous to adopt a ‘drill and fill’ approach, which professionals have argued against for years.

The House of Commons debate was called following the decision by Appleton Park Dentist to hand back its NHS contract, leaving more than 8,000 Appleton residents without access to an NHS dentist.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Carter said: “I am particularly concerned that with only around a third of children in Warrington were seen by a dentist in the last 12 months, we are storing up health problems for the future.

“Many families have been in touch to say they are struggling to get dental treatment through the NHS.

“I was particularly concerned to hear about surgeries deciding to withdraw from providing all NHS provision in Appleton, even for children.

“The debate in Parliament was an important opportunity to raise issues directly with the minister responsible.

“One of the main criticisms I have heard from dentists across the constituency is that the current NHS contract to provide services needs to be replaced.

“The minister has now confirmed, responding to my questions in the debate, that the Government is going to do this.”

MP raises residents’ dentist woes in Parliament and calls for ‘root and branch’ reform

Mr Carter also confirmed that around £7million in additional funding is being allocated to the region to increase availability, with steps being taken to address pandemic and long-term issues.

These steps include expanding dental training and breaking down barriers to allow international dentists to practice in the UK.

In addition, Mr Carter stated that a new NHS dentist hub has been proposed for Warrington, with further details to be revealed in due course.

The MP’s call for ‘root and branch’ reforms to solve the dentistry crisis has been welcomed by the Association of Dental Groups.

Chair Neil Carmichael said: “Last year, the NHS lost 137 dentists in the north west.

“A perfect storm of a broken NHS contract and stressful working conditions in the pandemic means that dentists are leaving NHS work, and child patients unable to access regular appointments in Warrington will be suffering the most.

“The solution is simple – we need more dentists.

“We welcome the announcement of additional funding, but more must be done to attract people into the profession, otherwise we are going to see more dental deserts in many parts of the country.”