MP Adam Dance, centre, inset left, and Serena Wootton, inset right

Calls for dental reform as “current system fails both patients and dentists” in Somerset

Tait ap EllisFebruary 12, 20250 Comment0

THERE have been renewed calls for dental reform as patients in Somerset are struggling to access care.

While residents in Wellington can celebrate following the news that a premise for a new NHS dentist was recently identified, others around the county are not so lucky.

Serena Wootton, who stood as the Green Party representative for Yeovil at the General Election last year, said she has been contacted by many residents who have struggled to receive the care they need in Yeovil and Chard.

“Access to NHS dental care is one of the most frequent concerns raised by residents,” she said.

“Many people have shared their frustration over long waiting lists, the difficulty of finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients, and, in some cases, the need to travel significant distances just to receive essential care.

“This is simply not good enough.”

NHS dental contract criticised

Ms Wootton says the root of the problem lies in the way NHS dentistry is funded and structured.

Funding is secured through payments from both NHS England and patient charges. According to government statistics, real-term funding (accounting for inflation) has fallen by 19% (in 2022/23 prices) since 2010/11, from £3.56 billion in 2010/11 to £2.9 billion in 2022/23.

Health think tank, the Nuffield Trust, said in a report released last year that increases in patient charges have been above inflation.

The current NHS dental contract, introduced in 2006, states the provider must agree in advance to complete a set amount of dental activity per year, measured in units of dental activity (UDAs).

Serena Wootton wants to see a change in the structure and funding of NHS dentistry Picture: Serena Wootton

This allows commissioners from integrated care boards to claim back money from providers that under-deliver, and providers have little scope to provide more activity—even if they have the capacity and time to do so.

The NHS dental contract has been criticised by professionals, unions, and the government.

Stakeholders have argued it is inflexible and does not fairly reward dentists for seeing more complex and time-consuming patients.

This can directly affect patients who require this more complex care.

Providers not willing to take on premises

Ms Wootton is calling for urgent reform.

“The current system is failing both patients and dentists, leading to a situation where many practices are unable to offer NHS services in a sustainable way,” she said.

“Urgent reform and proper funding are needed to ensure that everyone can access affordable, high-quality dental care when they need it.”

Ms Wootton said there are buildings in Chard that could be taken on for additional dental services, but no dentists are currently willing or able to take them on.

“This highlights the deeper structural issues within the system that must be addressed,” she said.

Adam Dance MP (Lib Dem, Yeovil) joined campaigners at Downing Street on January 7 to hand in a petition demanding urgent action to address the NHS dentistry crisis.

The campaign, which was signed by more than 275,000 people, was launched by The Mirror in partnership with the British Dental Association (BDA), the Women’s Institute and campaign group 38 Degrees.

From left: Tim Farron MP, Tony Page, Adam Dance MP, James MacCleary MP and Ian Roome MP, at Downing Street.
Picture: Livvi Grant

Ms Wootton has backed the campaign and said she would work with Mr Dance to improve access to dental services across the Yeovil area.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr Dance said: “Dentistry is a vital part of healthcare, yet millions of people across the UK, including many in our own communities, cannot access the NHS dental care they need.

“This crisis is causing unnecessary pain and long-term health issues, and it’s unacceptable.

“The strength of this petition shows how urgently reform is needed. I stand with my constituents and campaigners in calling on the government to properly fund NHS dentistry and deliver on their promises to rebuild this essential service.”