No need for home remedies says Minister
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- Published: Monday, 22 July 2013 07:42
- Written by News Editor
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Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that those needing NHS dentistry do not resort to home remedies.
Dr Poulter: There should be no need for anyone to resort to home remedies for dental problems rather than seeking national health service care. NHS England has a legal duty to commission dental services to meet local need. Anyone seeking urgent care who cannot find an NHS dentist should contact the relevant NHS local area team. The new NHS 111 service is also able to signpost patients to urgent dental services. As well as ensuring those who need it can get urgent care, the Government is committed to ensuring those who seek it can access regular dental care. More than 29.8 million people were seen by an NHS dentist in the 24 month period ending 31 March 2013. Over a million and a quarter more people have been seen by an NHS dentist since May 2010, and the latest information published on 16 May 2013 shows a further rise. The Government is committed to increasing access to NHS dentistry and recently invested an additional £30 million of in-year funding in order to achieve this.
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the NHS of treating patients who have complications arising from dentistry home remedies.
Dr Poulter: The Department does not hold this information.
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