Markus Campbell-Savours, Labour Member of Parliament for Penrith and Solway, has today called out the Government over the catastrophic decline in NHS dentistry, stating that his constituency has become an "NHS dental desert."

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Penrith and Solway MP used a question to the Minister for Care to shine a light on the crisis where local residents are left unable to access routine or emergency NHS dental care.

Markus Campbell-Savours MP commented:

“The crisis in our NHS dental service is an emergency. For years, I have watched as dentists across Cumbria have turned their backs on the NHS contract, moving those who can afford it onto private plans. The result is clear and devastating: my constituency is now an NHS dental desert. Local people are being forced to choose between crippling private fees or going without essential care, often resorting to dangerous DIY dentistry.

“I pressed the Minister for Care for a firm date on when the Government will finally publish its long-awaited response to the consultation on quality and payment reforms. The response that the consultation closed in August and a reply will be published 'very shortly' is simply not good enough for my constituents who are in pain right now."

“While I welcome the Minister’s promise that the reforms will better incentivise dentists to deliver care for complex or urgent needs on the NHS, we need more than warm words. We need action now. Every day of delay means more pain, more extractions, and more pressure on overstretched GPs and A&E services."

“The Government must treat this dental emergency with the urgency it deserves. I will keep holding their feet to the fire until a proper plan is in place to end the NHS dental desert in Penrith and Solway.”

The Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock, confirmed that the consultation closed on August 19th and pledged that the Government is "considering the outcomes, and expects to publish a response very shortly." He added that the reforms will "improve support for patients with complex or urgent needs by better incentivising dentists to deliver this care on the NHS."

The full House of Commons exchange can be viewed here.