Seema Malhotra MP joins calls for Dentistry Rescue Plan as new data shows 8 out of 10 dentists in Feltham and Heston struggle to take on new adult patients.

The vote came as new figures revealed that, of the 10 dental surgeries who have provided a recent update in Feltham and Heston, 8 are not currently accepting any new adult patients. Analysis of GP Patient Survey data shows that over 6 million adults tried and failed to get an appointment in the last two years. 

Speaking in the House of Commons debate led by Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Malhotra highlighted a recent report from the Nuffield Trust warning that NHS dentistry “is at its most perilous point in its 75-year history.” and called on the Health Secretary to explain “how on earth things have got this bad” 

Official data has shown that tooth decay is the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between 6 and 10 years. Healthwatch England has reported horror stories of people forced to pull their own teeth out, with 1 in 10 Brits claiming to have attempted their own dental work.  

Seema Malhotra, Labour MP for Feltham and Heston,  said: 

“It is shocking that the Nuffield Trust is now warning that NHS Dentistry may no longer be offered to all patients. It is just not good enough. In April last year Ministers promised a Dental Recovery Plan but it is still not published.”  

The motion tabled by the Labour Party which proposed a costed plan for measures including 700,000 more urgent dentistry appointments, incentives to recruit dentists to areas most in need and reform of the NHS dental contract so everyone who needs a dentist can get one was defeated in the Commons. Malhotra has pledged that despite this setback, she will continue to campaign for better dentistry services and asks that local residents struggling to get appointments contact her office.