Dewsbury MP criticises decision not to include constituency in new children’s dental scheme
The MP for Dewsbury has criticised the decision not to include her constituency in a new dental scheme, which is designed to improve children’s oral health.
Paula Sheriff has hit out at a government decision not to include Dewsbury in a new initiative, accusing ministers of ignoring “appalling levels” of dental problems in the area. Ms Sheriff pointed out that there are currently no practices accepting new NHS dental patients and suggested that spending is lower than in other parts of the county. She has now written to Steve Brine, health minister, to ask why the constituency, which also covers Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton, has not been targeted by a new scheme aimed at “high need areas.”
Statistics revealed that children living in Dewsbury are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from tooth decay than children living in more affluent areas, including Jeremy Hunt’s constituency, South West Surrey.
Ms Sheriff commented that she was “astounded” that the area had not been considered a “high need” region given the high rates of decay and “woeful dental health provision.”
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