NHS dental system failing patients
Shocking figures have shown a 60% rise in the level of tooth extractions occurring in the district of Stockport, demonstrating the areas failing NHS dental system.
These are the figures released by the Department of Health to Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell, who said: “Many people are unable to afford to go private and are simply missing out on regular treatment.”
A total of 1,247 were to found to have had their teeth extracted between 2007 and 2008. This is an increase of 60% since 2003/2004, with around one in three children being under the age of 18, and a further 59 children under the age of 5.
Andrew Stunell is now looking to the government to take action in order to protect the dental health of patients in the area.
“NHS dental provision for Stockport is in serious trouble. Many people have been struggling for a long time to find an NHS dentist, and the situation is worsening.”
These words come as no surprise when considering the current economic climate and the wealth of NHS dentists that have turned private. This has resulted in dental treatment being a luxury many patients can not afford.
“There is a clear link between the shortage of NHS dentists in the area and the extraordinary rise in the number of people needing their teeth extracted under general anaesthetic.”
“We need Whitehall action to end the neglect of Stockport residents hit by the crisis in NHS dentistry.”
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