Return of the Greedy Dentist Persona as MP’s Get Desperate

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Published: Thursday, 17 August 2023 07:25
Written by Peter Ingle
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Return of the Greedy Dentist Persona as MP’s Get Desperate

One of the big changes post pandemic has been in the way that MP’s and much of the media reported on dentistry, and in particular dentists. But we may be returning to some finding it easier to blame the dental access crisis on the profession, rather than addressing its actual causes. 

For many years the “greedy dentist” stereotype underpinned a good deal of reporting and comment. It has been novel to see MPs of both main parties working out that the NHS contract may have something to do with the access crisis, and some have even joined the dots to see how real terms pay cuts hinder recruitment. But with a difficult election approaching, there are signs of MP’s falling back on the politics of envy.

It is not yet clear if there is an organised shift in Government or Health Department tactics, or just individual desperation, as polls remain gloomy for many of the administrations incumbent MPs.

David Johnston MP, represents Wantage, and has recently written to a local dental practice that is withdrawing from providing NHS services. The letter addressed “To whom it may concern,” begins with him expressing his displeasure at the practice’s decision, complaining that there is only a little more than two months notice, that patients will be on holiday, and that alternative practices are “significant distances away.”

The tone gets increasingly judgemental with the MP writing that, “this decision is little more than a move to make more money from local people.” He concludes by requesting “a meeting with you to discuss this in more detail and ask that you a look again at your decision. Please note I have also raised this with my ministerial colleagues.”

David Johnston has no business experience, with his career prior to becoming an MP being in the third sector, think tanks, and the Department for Education. The British Association for Private Dentistry saw the letter which the MP had posted on his social media, and wrote to him. They attempted to fill in some of the more glaring gaps in his knowledge and offered to meet him to try and improve what they described as the very poor understanding, by those with the power to make changes, of how dentistry is provided in the UK. It does not appear that Mr Johnston has taken up the offer.

Seasoned dento-political observer Michael Watson noted that whilst Johnston’s is not an especially vulnerable seat, that the main threat to him comes from the Lib Dems who have been very vocal on the issue of NHS dentistry.

Another MP who would appear to want to be seen to be doing something about the unavailability of NHS dentistry is Wendy Morton, MP for the Aldridge Brownhills seat in the West Midlands. BDA Chair Eddie Crouch was contacted by a dentist practicing in her constituency. He tweeted: “Heard from a colleague @morton_wendy that you are unhappy about messaging to patients regarding his withdrawal from his NHS contract. Happy to meet and explain why colleagues are doing this and why urgency on a recovery plan is needed @TheBDA.”

At the time of writing he had not heard from her. Eddie had also contacted David Johnston with a similar offer and received no reply. Not all MP’s have ignored the opportunity to be better informed, as the BDA Chair reported a recent productive meeting with MP Robert Courts.

MPs facing likely ejection are likely to resort to increasingly desperate attack lines. Those complaining about dental practices communication might pause to reflect on their own messaging. Despite being both a former Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, both Wendy Mortons website and Twitter account make no indication of which party she represents.

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