MP: "Quite Honestly, NHS Dentists Are Saints"
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- Published: Sunday, 01 June 2025 22:55
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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GDPUK‘s Guy Tuggle looks on as MPs discuss NHS dentistry.

GDPUK‘s Guy Tuggle looks on as MPs discuss NHS dentistry.
A gulf between political ambitions for NHS dentistry and those of the profession may be opening up. While the BDA continue discussions on the basis of providing of a comprehensive service for all, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) may have other goals.
New research from charity, the Oral Health Foundation (OHF), will make grim reading for those struggling to meet the demand for dental care.
Read more: Snackmageddon - Oral Health Foundation Warns Public of Risks
In the changed world of mass communication, once restrictive rules have been torn up by influencers and social media. It has never been easier for those with unorthodox or anti-establishment opinions to reach a huge audience.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has reacted with predictable dismay to the government‘s announcement of a 4% rise. A statement issued by Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Thursday 22nd May said "We inherited a broken health service with extremely low morale after years of pay erosion and poor industrial relations.
GDPs and their teams are expected to be able to detect, and in some cases provide immediate care, for a variety of life threatening conditions. Annual training in basic life support is intended to keep it fresh in everyone‘s mind. Sepsis may be seen as a less likely issue, particularly to those seeing stable lists of well maintained patients, but a recent case provides a reminder of its occurrence in dentistry and potentially devastating consequences.
The British Dental Association (BDA) is urging dentists, their teams and patients to write to their MP (link below) ahead of a debate scheduled for Thursday morning.
Read more: MP Secures An Urgent Dentistry Debate - Contact Your MP
Reduction of inequalities is a key ambition for UK healthcare, and is very much expected to be a major part of any updated NHS dental contract. A recently published paper investigating the oral health of academy footballers underlines the embedded nature of these inequalities.
Read more: Academy Footballer's Oral Health 'Disadvantaged' - GDP Led Research
The College of General Dentistry (CGDent) has announced the results of recent elections to six seats on its Council, with five new members elected and one re-elected.
Read more: Five New Members Elected To College Of General Dentistry Council