Lack of Dental Care Leaves Fifth of UK Armed Forces Unfit

UK: The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed troubling figures about the medical readiness of the country’s armed forces, with around a fifth of regular personnel currently deemed unfit for deployment. These findings come at a time when global threats, such as the war in Ukraine, are putting increased pressure on military capabilities. According to former Defence Minister James Heappey, a significant portion of these medically unfit personnel are being held back due to the lack of recent dental check-ups.

Medical Readiness and Deployment Challenges

As reported by the MoD, more than 13,000 military personnel across the army, navy, and air force cannot be deployed due to various medical conditions. An additional 14,350 service members are only deployable under specific conditions, leaving a significant gap in the forces’ ability to respond effectively to combat situations. In contrast, over 99,000 personnel are fully fit for duty.

However, Defence Minister Al Carns has stated that approximately 90% of the armed forces are deployable “at any point,” despite these figures suggesting a more complex issue concerning medical fitness. The ongoing concerns highlight the strain the military is facing in maintaining readiness for current and future threats.

Dental Check-Ups and Their Impact on Deployment

One of the key issues raised by Heappey, who served as armed forces minister under three Conservative prime ministers, is the impact of missed dental check-ups on deployment status. Heappey explained to TimesRadio that many personnel are automatically classified as “unfit” for deployment if they have not attended a dental appointment in the past six months. As a result, “a big chunk of the non-deployable, medically downgraded people are downgraded for dental reasons,” he said. Heappey emphasized that this automatic classification prevents troops from being ready to serve when needed, particularly in urgent or high-risk scenarios.

Heappey also acknowledged that, in the event of an escalated war, some personnel who are currently deemed unfit due to injuries could still be deployed, as the needs of the nation would override routine medical assessments.

Growing Military Needs Amid Rising Global Threats

The revelation comes as the UK faces increasing global instability, with the war in Ukraine being cited as a significant catalyst for the re-evaluation of military readiness. Heappey, who has firsthand military experience in Afghanistan and Basra, pointed out that the armed forces are currently under-resourced to address the ongoing global threats. He noted that the number of personnel in the army, navy, and air force has been shrinking since 2010, with concerns about numbers falling below the required level to meet national security needs.

Recent comments from Defence Secretary John Healey suggest the British army could see its numbers dip below 70,000 next year, prompting calls for urgent growth in the armed forces. Heappey proposed that the army should expand to approximately 85,000 personnel, with similar increases needed in the navy and air force.

Calls for Increased Defence Spending and Expansion

Amid these concerns, both Heappey and former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat have voiced strong support for expanding the size of the military. Tugendhat, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, emphasized the need for a more robust military response in light of global changes. “The reality is that we have too few men and women in our armed forces,” Tugendhat said, calling for a significant increase in personnel to face new global challenges.

He also highlighted the shift in international relations, noting the end of the era of automatic peaceful relationships between nations, which has lasted since the Cold War. This transformation, he argued, requires a fundamental rethinking of military strategy and capabilities to ensure Britain’s readiness.

The Government’s stance on increasing defence spending has also come under scrutiny. Opposition leader Keir Starmer has promised to raise defence spending to 2.5% of the UK’s GDP, but has so far only committed to outlining a pathway toward this target by the spring of 2025.