The Member of Parliament for Burton and Uttoxeter, Kate Kniveton has today (20/06/23) met with the Chief Dental Officer for England, Sara Hurley, and the Director of Dentistry at NHS England, Ali Sparke in Westminster.
The local MP met with the top dental chiefs to hear about the national priorities for NHS dentistry but also to raise local concerns around access to an NHS dentist in East Staffordshire. Over recent months, residents have been getting in touch with Ms Kniveton, highlighting the plight of NHS dentist appointments, particularly in Uttoxeter where the practices are largely private.
Kate Kniveton also highlighted with the dental chiefs insight from dentists based in her constituency about the challenges they face providing NHS services and what could be done to make support the profession’s continued delivery of NHS treatment.
It is widely expected that the Government will shortly be publishing a plan to increase access to NHS dentistry while making the NHS dental contract more attractive to dental practices.
Commenting, Kate Kniveton MP said:
“Registering and accessing an NHS dentist in Burton and Uttoxeter is increasingly becoming a challenge. Residents are writing to me about this and I am also hearing of the problems within the sector when I speak with dentists locally.
“I am pleased to have been able to meet with Sara and Ali today to raise concerns and hear about what plans are in place to improve the situation nationally. I will continue to raise this issue with NHS management locally as well as with the Government to ensure that access to NHS dentistry is improved for residents in Burton and Uttoxeter.”
