15/03/05 Cllr Tomlinson Supports Which Campaign On NHS Dentists

Stop The Rot - Which Magazine Campaign

Taken from the Which Magazine Website...

Good oral health is important for everyone. Dental care shouldn’t cost a fortune or be a postcode lottery. Yet less than half the UK adult population is registered with an NHS dentist*.

Poor access to NHS dentistry is particularly hard for people on low incomes, who can find themselves effectively 'priced out' of dental care.

The stories you've been telling us about your experiences show that too many people are struggling to get NHS treatment, and that private dentistry is a strain on family finances.

And our research** paints the same picture:

• 9 out of 10 (92%) people believe the government should ensure NHS dental treatment for everyone whenever they need it.
• More than half (55%) of people who tried to register with an NHS dentist in the last two years said they found it difficult. That means as many as 4.1 million people have had difficulty registering with an NHS dentist in the last 2 years.
• Two thirds of people think it is now harder to register with an NHS dentist for regular care and check-ups than five years ago - and 6 in 10 think it is now harder to get emergency treatment (see Appendix A for regional differences).
• Only 15% of people think the government is taking enough action to improve NHS dentistry provision in the UK; only 13% believe the government is giving enough funding to NHS dentistry.
• 58% of people agree that dental care costs too much, even when provided by NHS.

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, "Which magazine have contacted all the candidates for the forthcoming election.  I am delighted to back this campaign.  The current situation is a disgrace, and if elected I will help push for immediate improvement."