The Oral Health Foundation has described the response to a survey on NHS dentistry by Members of Parliament as “deeply disappointing”, warning that oral health needs more political attention.
Just 12 of the 650 MPs invited to take part responded to the LDC Confederation’s MP Attitudes towards NHS Dentistry survey.
The charity says the limited engagement will offer little reassurance to people struggling to access dental care.
Dr Rachael England, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Oral Health Foundation, says: “Just 12 responses from 650 MPs is deeply disappointing. While a failure to respond does not tell us what individual MPs think, such limited engagement adds to the concern that dentistry remains far too low on the political agenda.
“For people struggling to find an NHS dentist, this is about living with pain, struggling to eat and facing costs they cannot afford. They deserve to feel that their oral health matters to those elected to represent them.
“Oral health is an essential part of general health, yet it too often appears to be treated as an afterthought. The consequences of that can be felt every day by patients, families and dental teams.
“Access to dental care also creates opportunities to spot the signs of mouth cancer. With November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month approaching, we are preparing to launch a new report that will examine, among other issues, how difficulties accessing dental care can limit opportunities for prevention and earlier diagnosis. This gives MPs another compelling reason to make oral health a priority.”
Among the 12 MPs who responded, eight gave the availability of NHS dental services in their constituency the lowest possible satisfaction rating. Nine reported being contacted by constituents about difficulties accessing dental care, while half said they accessed dental care privately.
All 12 respondents agreed that the current NHS dental contract is not fit for purpose and requires reform. There was also unanimous support for ensuring future contract changes help integrate dentistry with the rest of health and social care.
The survey’s small, self-selecting sample means its findings cannot be taken as representative of Parliament as a whole. However, the Oral Health Foundation says the concerns raised deserve a clear response.
“The MPs who took part were unanimous about the need for contract reform,” adds Dr England. “That agreement must translate into action, with a clear timetable and a commitment to improving access.
“Reform must also make prevention a priority, helping people maintain good oral health and get support before problems become painful and more difficult to treat.
“We urge MPs across all parties to make dentistry a greater priority, listen to the experiences of their constituents and hold the government to account for delivering improvements. Patients need more than recognition that the system is struggling. They need to see and feel a difference.”
