Bradford MP Judith Cummins pushes for improved access to dentistry across Yorkshire

Improving access to NHS dentists for residents in the region is "long overdue" amid concerns over a backlog of dental appointments brought on by a pandemic, which has “turbo-charged” the problem, a Yorkshire MP has said.

Bradford MP Judith Cummins told the Commons today (25 November) that NHS dentistry in this country was already in a “sorry state” before Covid struck.

She said the current system was therefore “extremely vulnerable” to what has happened since March.

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A Yorkshire MP has called for improved access to dentistry across Yorkshire, amid concerns over a backlog of dental appointments brought on by a pandemic.A Yorkshire MP has called for improved access to dentistry across Yorkshire, amid concerns over a backlog of dental appointments brought on by a pandemic.
A Yorkshire MP has called for improved access to dentistry across Yorkshire, amid concerns over a backlog of dental appointments brought on by a pandemic.
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The Bradford South MP, said: “The effects, of which I’m afraid to say, have been disastrous.

“The crisis in access we were experiencing prior to March has been turbo charged. Solving it now requires the Government to dramatically change its approach to oral health treatment and prevention.”

The call to action comes as the Labour MP revealed a member of the public in her constituency living with gum disease and tooth ache has been trying to get a dental appointment for five months.

While one local dentist in Bradford has had the practice phone “ringing hot,” with new patients who have no dentist access, on top of facing significant staffing pressures, due to increased triage requirements and the need to thoroughly clean the practice between patients.

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins. Photo credit: JPIMediaBradford South MP Judith Cummins. Photo credit: JPIMedia
Bradford South MP Judith Cummins. Photo credit: JPIMedia
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The Labour MP has called for the Government to reform the dental health contract with a view to more prevention.

She said: “Working with the BDA (British Dental Association), and others, Government must introduce a new contract that focuses on prevention, supports best patient care and improves access, especially for those who need it most.”

This week The Yorkshire Post also revealed this week tens of thousands of people are turning up at the UK’s overstretched A&Es each year with toothache and other dental complaints, including thousands across Yorkshire.

Figures obtained by JPIMedia Investigations showed more than 5,000 turned up to A & E departments and minor injury services in 2019/20 with dental problems at an estimated cost of £1.4m to the NHS, the fourth highest region in the UK.

Rachael Maskell MP for York Central said oral health care professions has not been treated as an equal partner in the provision of healthcare. Photo credit: Anna GowthorpeRachael Maskell MP for York Central said oral health care professions has not been treated as an equal partner in the provision of healthcare. Photo credit: Anna Gowthorpe
Rachael Maskell MP for York Central said oral health care professions has not been treated as an equal partner in the provision of healthcare. Photo credit: Anna Gowthorpe
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Data also showed there has been a steep rise in hospital admissions for mouth cancer across Yorkshire amid dentistry cuts with more than 1,800 hospital admissions (including NHS-commissioned care at private hospitals) in 2018/19.

Ms Cummins said regions such as Yorkshire and the Humber have “struggled for years” with an acute crisis in access to NHS dentistry. And inequalities in access to dentistry have led to inequalities in oral health outcomes.

She pointed out a child in Yorkshire and the Humber is five times more likely to be admitted to hospital for a tooth extraction than a child in the East of England. While in Bradford, 36 per cent of children have tooth decay, compared with just seven per cent in the best performing area of the country.

She also highlighted concerns about the effect of the pandemic on the oral health of vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, people who have been shielding and people with dementia.

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“The pandemic has shown how fragile the system is and the effect on patients when it collapses," she said “I urge the Government to invest in dentistry, prioritise prevention and work to close the inequalities... Anything less than that will let down the most vulnerable people, who need an NHS dental service that is fit for purpose.”

Jo Churchill, Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care, said since the start of the pandemic NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) had kept more than 600 urgent dental centres open to provide additional capacity in the system.

She added NHS dental practices were allowed to start offering services from 8 June providing that they had appropriate PPE and infection prevention and control measures in place.

"There are more than 6,000 NHS practices in England that should now be offering face-to-face care, in other than exceptional circumstances," she said.

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Ms Churchill said the focus now is on increasing dental provision as fast and as safely as possible.

"Guidance to practices has made it clear that during the difficult period they should prioritise care for vulnerable groups and then address the delayed routine check-ups; but that remains a challenge," she said.

Criticism over access to PPE for dentists

- A York MP has criticised access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for dentists and other oral health care providers.

Labour’s Rachael Maskell said oral health care professions has not been treated as an “equal partner in the provision of healthcare,” due to difficulties accessing PPE and shortages.

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She told the Commons today: “In York, it is really challenging to get registered with an NHS dentist, let alone access their services.

“One of the things that has exacerbated that during the pandemic is access to personal protective equipment for people who are overseeing our oral health.

The MP for York Central added: "Does my hon. Friend believe, as I do, that oral health has not been seen as an equal partner in the provision of healthcare? We seriously have to address that, including access to PPE."

Jo Churchill, Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care, said all NHS dentists can access the government portal for accessing PPE.

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She said: "Registration is voluntary, and 5,500—equating to about 81 per cent of all NHS dentists—have signed up, and 50 million items of personal protective equipment have been dispensed.

"Making sure that our frontline services have what they require is vital, but the e-portal is being used, and I urge the remaining dentists to sign up."

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