A SOMERSET MP told the Prime Minister about a resident who pulled out two of her own teeth due to the lack of NHS dentists in Somerset.

Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem, Glastonbury & Somerton) raised the case of a constituent, identified only as Jennifer, during PMQs on Wednesday (October 22).

Ms Dyke, recently named the Lib Dems’ rural affairs spokesperson, highlighted the lack of NHS dentists in the county, calling Somerset a “dental desert”.

“Many in Glastonbury and Somerton are forced to travel hundreds of miles to see an NHS dentist, or suffer in agony, or fall into debt to pay for private treatment, or turn to DIY dentistry like Jennifer, who extracted two of her teeth.

“They simply can’t wait for the consultation on the broken NHS contract – they deserve immediate action.”

“So will the PM outline what measures he’s taking to end the dental desert in Somerset for good?”

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In response, the Prime Minister said: “We are rolling out extra urgent care appointments. In Somerset, (the) ICB (Integrated Care Board) is expected to deliver over 13,000 extra dental appointments this year.

“We’re also reforming the dental contract, which will shift focus on to retaining NHS dentists.”

Previously, Ms Dyke wrote to the health secretary calling for reform of the NHS dental contract, and pressing for greater investment in rural dental services, which she said “have been left in crisis after years of cuts by the previous Conservative administration”.

Later, Ms Dyke said: “Every person in Somerset should be able to see a dentist when they need one. I’ll keep pushing until the Government takes proper action to address the dental desert.”

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