MID WORCESTERSHIRE MP Nigel Huddleston has welcomed the government’s launch of a plan to improve dentistry access.
The Government’s NHS Dental Recovery Plan aims to improve access to NHS dentistry and cut waiting lists.
Backed by £200 million of new Government funding, the plan sets out a package of measures to deliver 2.5 million additional NHS appointments over the next 12 months.
As part of this additional investment, around 240 dentists will be offered up to £20,000 for working in under-served communities and to ensure that those who have not been seen within the last 2 years are prioritised.
Further measures include a New Patient Premium payment to incentivise dentists to treat around a million new patients who have not seen an NHS dentist in more than two years.
The scheme will be introduced within weeks, ensuring that patients can benefit immediately.
The minimum value of activity will also increase from £23 to £28 and high-performing practices will also be able to deliver extra work on top of their contracted activity, ensuring that NHS work is more attractive to dental teams.
Trainee dental places will be expanded by 40 per cent as part of the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, as the Government looks to target the expansion into areas of the country which are underserved by the dental workforce.
Nigel Huddleston MP said: “Everyone should be able to access NHS dentistry quickly and easily, and I understand the frustration of those in my constituency when they need to see a dentist but struggle to get an NHS appointment.
“I am therefore delighted by the Government’s announcement of its NHS Dental Recovery Plan, creating 2.5 million more NHS dental appointments over the next year.”
