Recently I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a Parliamentary event to discuss the key issues currently facing NHS dentistry and dentistry as a whole. The dental industry is clearly facing some difficulties at the moment both in the NHS and Private sector. This in turn is restricting access to dental care for our communities.
The event at Westminster was organised by Denplan and The Oral Health Foundation and hosted by MP Peter Aldous. It was an honour to have the opportunity to discuss the issues relating to access to dental care including, staffing, the lack of Dentist's (especially in rural Hereford) with the Chief Dental Officer Sarah Hurley, BDA's Eddie Crouch, Clinical Director of Denplan Catherine Rutland and many more influential members of the Dental industry.
Clearly change is needed both nationally and locally. Nationally the NHS contract is broken and needs a complete overhaul. There are simply not enough Dentists per capita both NHS and Private following the brexit exodus and many retiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Locally, Hereford and Herefordshire is unattractive to newly qualified Dentists. We have an empty surgery and can offer the latest equipment, digital X-rays, digital scanning but as one potential candidate put it, "I am looking for something more Metropolitan."
I have had recent communication with our local MP Jesse Norman and following the parliamentary event I left feeling quietly optimistic. Change is happening, but it will not happen overnight.
Thank you to Denplan and the Oral Health Foundation for organising an event. I remain hopeful for a bight future.
Andrew Farr
Principal Dentist @Broad Street Dental Practice
01432 266899
