Dental reforms are a ‘matter of urgency’ says the health secretary

On July 23, 2024, ministers questioned Wes Streeting about his plans to improve NHS dentistry provisions.

In January 2024, the Labour Party pledged to deliver “700,000 extra urgent dental appointments per year” and recruit dentists to areas most in need. Its plans also included measures to improve children’s oral health, such as toothbrushing programmes, vaping legislation, and healthy eating.

Opening the debate, Wes reflected on the challenges facing NHS dentistry, “Some 13m people in England have unmet need for NHS dentistry, or 28 per cent of the country, and it is disgraceful that rotting teeth are the most common reason for children aged between five and nine being admitted to hospital. During the general election campaign, I pledged to meet the British Dental Association immediately to start conversations on contract reform, and I did exactly that.