TORIES FAIL TO ACT ON DENTIST CRISIS

Lib Dem JAMES NEWPORT calls for action to improve access to NHS dentists in Rayleigh

Shocking new figures have revealed that nearly 1,000 dentists across England have left the profession in the past year.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to do more to stop the decline in dentist numbers - and help people across the country access an NHS dentist.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey MP raised the issue directly with the Government minister in January. Ed said: "The lack of NHS dentists across England is a real crisis. The Conservatives talk a good game on the NHS, but leaving so many people without access to a dentist shows just how little they really care about the nation's health."

Official figures show there were 23,733 dental practitioners in 2021 - 951 fewer than the previous year, leaving more patients struggling to get the dental care they need.

Local Lib Dem JAMES NEWPORT added: "I know many people here in Rayleigh who are struggling to get registered with an NHS dentist. This situation is only going to get worse - unless urgent action is taken to encourage more people to take up the profession."