Sunak pledges to ‘restore’ NHS dentistry as leadership vote approaches
Rishi Sunak has pledged to “restore” NHS dentistry, as the Tory leadership vote approaches.
Mr Sunak, the former chancellor, outlined plans to improve and protect NHS dental services by ringfencing funding, encouraging more dental professionals to stay within the NHS and focusing on prevention. The leadership hopeful is currently in second place behind Liz Truss to become the new Prime Minister but has vowed to fight until the end. Members of the Conservative Party must vote for the new leader by Friday 2nd September.
Speaking after a BBC report revealed that 90% of UK practices are not taking on new adult NHS patients, Mr Sunak put forward a five-point plan to protect NHS dental services and improve access for patients. Measures include introducing new ways to protect NHS budgets and reviewing NHS contracts, which have been blamed for pushing dentists towards private work. There are also plans to adjust recruitment policies and processes to make it easier for dental professionals to work in the NHS and explore opportunities to develop and implement new skills for dental therapists and hygienists.
Mr Sunak also spoke about a new pilot programme, which would see dentists providing check-ups for primary school children in educational settings to promote preventative care from an early age.
The former chancellor said that NHS dental services were “under unprecedented pressure with people unable to get the treatment they need.” The 5-point plan, Mr Sunak stated, would be introduced from day one to “free up dentistry professionals to do their jobs, encourage NHS trained dentists to stay in the NHS, and focus on prevention as that is always better than cure.”
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