With the NHS set to be 76 on election day a rally to support NHS dentistry

 

Calderdale TUC

With the NHS set to be 76 on election day a rally to support NHS dentistry

Defending and extending NHS dentistry rally outside the former Wilkinsons, Halifax Town Centre at 11am on Saturday 22 June

Agreed speakers so far: - Dentist Joe Hendron of the British Dental Association (BDA) General Practice Committee Executive and Dan Ross from Toothless in England and we also hope to have a Junior Doctors speaker.

NHS dentistry is in crisis with fewer people than ever enjoying access to the service. Newspapers have reported people being forced to pull out their own teeth. Many have had to go private.

Children are losing their teeth early. Fewer dentists than ever – across Yorkshire the figure is one in four – accept NHS patients.

Central to the crisis has been the 2006 introduction by New Labour of controversial new contracts for dentists paying them for activity rather than patient numbers.

Yet even in the wake of the pandemic when Rishi Sunak boosted NHS spending there was no increase for dental care.

As such years of failed contracts and underfunding have meant many dentists no longer see the NHS as a place to build a career. Many are leaving.

Hardly surprising therefore there is increasing public support for an NHS dentist for everyone. In 2021, the launch of the Toothless in Suffolk campaign led to a national organisation being formed and there are now campaigns across the North. In turn this has pushed MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee to hold an inquiry into NHS dentistry.

It is surely right that there is a return to free dental care and increased services, especially for children. Dentistry should be integral to ensuring a healthy society.

Plans are still being worked but there are guaranteed speakers in Dan Ross from Toothless in England and local dentist Joe Hendron of the British Dental Association (BDA) General Practice Committee Executive.

The event will be filmed in order to produce a short YouTube film.

CTUC is looking to support anyone who may want to establish a local Toothless group.

Details on info@calderdaletuc.org.uk

Phone number 07392 851561 or 07709 684473

Watch the Calderdale TUC video from 2023 on Defend the NHS:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2GVgLQVGDA