Toothless in England Calls for Declaration of ‘Dental Emergency’

UK: Campaigners from Toothless in England have intensified their call for urgent action from the government, urging it to declare a “dental emergency.” 

Mark Jones, co-founder of the campaign, recently attended a meeting chaired by the government’s dental minister, Andrea Leadsom, where he pressed for immediate action in light of the ongoing deaths of patients across the country due to preventable oral cancer and dental sepsis.

Proposals for Immediate Action

Jones proposed that emergency powers could be issued to compel all dental practices to open their doors to the most vulnerable and in need. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the immediate needs of a significant number of patients suffering from chronic pain and other conditions that require prompt treatment.

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During the meeting, experts discussed the government’s plan to recover and reform NHS dentistry. While the government’s proposal includes offering bonuses to dentists to take on NHS patients, Jones expressed skepticism about its effectiveness, citing the limited number of NHS practices open for business and the potential closure of many remaining ones.

Campaign Demands

Toothless in England has previously communicated three key demands to the government regarding NHS dentistry. These include utilizing newly qualified dentists to staff treatment rooms, mobilizing mobile dentistry clinics for rural and coastal communities, and reforming the NHS dental contract to prioritize patient needs over arbitrary targets.

As Toothless in England continues to advocate for improved access to dental care and heightened awareness of oral health issues, the government faces mounting pressure to take decisive action in response to the dental crisis. With lives at stake and widespread suffering among patients, the call for a “dental emergency” underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and immediate measures to address the pressing concerns within NHS dentistry.

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